Margaret is running for mum in the Bupa Great Manchester Run and raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society

GP Liaison Officer Margaret, aged 57, is a regular runner, but has never done a 10k run for charity before.  Her incentive is running in honour of her mum who developed Alzheimer's disease about 10 years ago.  Nora, 86, is now looked after in a care home.  Margaret says:

'I visit her every three days and most days she recognises me and smiles.  We've passed through some of the more challenging behaviour that comes with the disease; she's not frail, is well cared for and quite chirpy.  Taking part in the Bupa Manchester Great Run on 15 May is something positive I can do to help find a cure.'

Margaret has a running buddy in her niece, Sarah McDonald, 37, who lives in Scorton.  Margaret, who lives in Cottam, added,

'Usually I run with my border collie, Tess, so it's great to have some human company and signing up to the run gives you a goal.  By taking part in a Bupa Great Run for Alzheimer's Society not only makes you feel fitter and healthier, but every penny raised goes towards supporting people with dementia and their carers and finding a cure for the future.'

  Dr Graham Stokes, director of dementia care, Bupa Care Services, said:

'Everyone's mum is special and Mother's Day is a fantastic opportunity to show you care. Around two thirds of the 750,000 people in the UK with dementia are women.

'Taking part in a Bupa Great Run is a great way to honour someone you love, raise funds to support people with dementia and their carers, and get fit, helping reduce your own risk of dementia.'

  -Ends-

Notes to editors:

For enquiries, a photograph or to arrange an interview or photo op please contact:

Alzheimer's Society                                            Bupa                         

Jayne Phenton                                                      Joanne Hudson

T. 020 7423 3595/ 0774 704 6750                   T. 020 7656 2273                                                

E. jayne.phenton@alzheimers.org.uk              E. joanne.hudson@bupa.com      

Alzheimer's Society

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 10 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them. 
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
  

Bupa

Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives.

A leading international healthcare group, we offer personal and company health insurance, run care homes for older people and hospitals, and provide workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.

With no shareholders, we invest our profits to provide more and better healthcare.  We are committed to making quality, patient-centred, affordable healthcare more accessible in the areas of wellness, chronic disease management and ageing.

Employing nearly 52,000 people, Bupa has operations around the world, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and the USA, as well as Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and across Latin America.

For more information, visit www.bupa.com