‘Exile’ star Shaun Dooley tackles Bupa London 10,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

Shaun, well-known for a host of roles including South Riding, Hustle, and Married.Single.Other, is currently on screen as Mike in the critically acclaimed drama in which Jim Broadbent plays a former journalist with Alzheimer's disease.  Shaun says,

'None of us like to think about dementia and the huge impact it has on families and loved ones, but by 2011 there will be over 1 million people living with dementia in the UK, so it is something that will affect us all at some time.  Every penny raised for Alzheimer's Society in the Bupa London 10,000 will help to support people with dementia and their carers today, and find a cure for tomorrow.'

The Bupa London 10,000 course starts and finishes in St James's Park and is one of the most picturesque runs, as it takes in many of the sights of the capital.  Shaun admits that while he enjoys the odd game of football, he's not a regular runner and has found the training quite a challenge, but said,

'Signing up for a run like this is a great way to feel a bit fitter and signing up to run for a charity gives you the motivation to keep going.  In the two years Alzheimer's Society has been Bupa's nominated charity, over 19,000 people have taken part in a Bupa Great Run and raised over £2 million.  I urge people to sign up and join me and help to up that total to £3 million.'

There are still limited running places available for the Bupa London 10,000 until 5 May 2011.  You can register by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun and find information on taking part in other Bupa Great Runs.

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 dementia and 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                                      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 bupa.com