Alzheimer’s Society stars lead record turnout of runners in Bupa Great Manchester Run

Leading the pack was the Society's celebrity team, Ashes to Ashes star, Dean Andrews, half of children's comic duo Dick and Dom, Richard McCourt, Lakes and No Angels star, Kaye Wragg, and her husband, TV presenter and fitness trainer, Jamie Darling.

While Haile Gebrselassie ran to a fourth victory with a time of 28:10, Alzheimer's Society supporters Dean, Richard, and Kaye, took a more leisurely pace of 01:13:20, 01:05:15 and 01:19:26 respectively, while Jamie clocked up an impressive 00:46:12 and then went on to take part in the Bupa Great Swim.  Yorkshireman Dean Andrews commented:

'It was jolly hard work, but we all had a fabulous day.  The atmosphere was incredible and we're all very proud to have been running for such a worthwhile cause.'

However, leaving the celebrity team in the shade, was 27 year old Ryan Bradley from Stockport who ran in honour of his grandfather, Robert, who died last year with Alzheimer's disease.  Ryan said:

'I really enjoyed yesterday and made it to the finish line in 45:06. I knocked 7 minutes and 32 seconds off last year's time, which was brilliant.  The support from the crowds and Alzheimer's Society cheerpoint really helps keep you going, especially on the final straight.   Running for such an important charity and raising money to help a cause so close to my heart is the best motivation you could ask for.'

Alzheimer's Society is aiming to raise over £175,000 from the Bupa Great Manchester Run this year.

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.'

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Notes to editors:

Photographs available.  For enquiries or to arrange an interview 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

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Notes to editors:

• 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 just ten years 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 supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. 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.