Network Rail team are on track for Alzheimer’s Society in Bupa Great Manchester Run

The 19 strong team all work in the Finance Department at Network Rail's offices in Manchester, spanning all ages and levels of seniority from 56 year old fitness fanatic, Paul Adkins, to the youngest member of the team, administration assistant, Emma Middleton, aged just 19.

Jonathan, who graduated from Salford University with a degree in Business and Finance Management, explains why the team are running for Alzheimer's Society.

'My colleague Pauline's father had Alzheimer's disease.  I ran the Bupa Great Manchester Run last year, but realised that as a team we could raise more funds between us for Alzheimer's Society, who had been a great source of help and support to Pauline.  In just 10 years, a million people in the UK will be living with dementia, so it's something which will touch all our lives at some time.'

Running with Jonathan, Paul and Emma are Fiona Roberts, Jessica Gordon Smith, Kirsten Armstrong, Lyon Dickinson, Max Wenner, Mike Casey, Neal Anderson, Neil Potter, Phil Attersall, Rachel Plant, Simon Hall, Stephen Gregory, Wendy Casey, Wendy Pryor, Will Mobley and Yen-Kee Miu.  They train in their lunch hour, then do a 10k run around Manchester every Wednesday evening.  They aim to raise £2,500 which Network Rail bosses have pledged to match.  Head of Financial Services, Steve Swientozielskyj, said,

'I'm very proud my team are pulling together in this way and for such a worthy cause.   The money they raise will fund Alzheimer's Society National Dementia Helpline and local support services for people with dementia and their carers.'

Almost 2,500 people are expected to run for Alzheimer's Society in the Bupa Great Manchester Run.  The charity is hoping to raise over £175,000.

Dr Graham Stokes, Bupa's director of dementia care, explains why Alzheimer's Society was a natural choice to be the nominated charity:

'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 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 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 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 www.alzheimers.org.uk
  
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit www.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.