Jamie Darling leading the charge for team Alzheimer’s Society at launch of Bupa Great Yorkshire Run

Taking place in Sheffield on 19 April, Jamie will lead a stellar Yorkshire-born team including ITN newsreader Nina Hossain, Ashes to Ashes and Marchlands star, Dean Andrews, and half of children's comic duo Dick and Dom, Richard McCourt.

Jamie, most familiar as presenter of BBC's Animal Hospital and taking part in all the Bupa Great Runs this year.  He says,

'I studied sports science at university so I'm aware of the health benefits of physical activity.  As a supporter of Alzheimer's Society, it's good to know that regular exercise also reduces your risk of dementia.  Signing up to the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run is a great way to keep you motivated and help to support people with dementia and their carers.'

This is the third consecutive year that Bupa have chosen Alzheimer's Society as their nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run Series.  Alzheimer's Society supporter Jamie added,

'Since the beginning of our partnership, our runners and supporters have helped us raise over £2 million.  We want to make that £3 million by the end of this year.  Every penny raised will go towards funding the National Dementia Helpline and local support services.'

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

'We're very pleased to be supporting Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland for a third year. As the UK's leading provider of dementia care, we're committed to helping people with the disease to live well. We understand how important it is to work with Alzheimer's Society to support people with dementia today and find a cure for tomorrow. Signing up to support the Alzheimer's charities in a Bupa Great Run means you can get fit, help reduce your risk of dementiaand raise money for a very worthwhile cause.'

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

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

Alzheimer's Society

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 bupa.com.