Wendy tackles Bupa Great North Run to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society in honour of her mother

She is raising funds for Alzheimer's Society, in honour of her mother Alice who died with Alzheimer's disease, and her brother-in-law Peter who has Down's Syndrome and was recently also diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease aged only 54.

Wendy was a chronic asthmatic and had arthritis in her hips and knees, but in less than 18 months she has lost 15 kilograms, no longer needs any medication and is now aiming to complete the iconic half-marathon in September.

Wendy, who works for a company developing electric vehicles, says,

'The Bupa Great North is a great goal to have to give your training some focus, but after seeing Peter starting to go through the same horrid disease as my mum, I wanted to do something positive and fundraising for Alzheimer's Society seemed the best way to do it.  My mum was a remarkable lady for her era in many ways.  She loved poetry, both reading and writing her own, and even though towards the end of her life she was unable to communicate, she never lost her ability to recite poetry.'

In honour of her mum and her love of literature, Wendy has called her fundraising page 'Alice in Wonderland' and hopes to raise over £400 to help support people with dementia and their carers.

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