Three women go on the run for Alzheimer’s Society in the Bupa London 10,000

They are all taking part in honour of their respective grandmothers who currently have, or died with, Alzheimer's disease.

Christine Brindley, 41, Lou Heslop, 37, and Jacquie Wines, 42, all say the 10k run will be a challenge, but they're motivated by a cause close to their hearts.

Christine's grandmother, Ada, was born in California, one of nine children whose father worked in the oil fields.  She battled through the Depression in the 1930s to pay her way to university and went on to become a dietician.  She had five children and died with Alzheimer's disease aged 91.  Christine said:

'She was an incredibly inspiring woman and we were very close.  I never thought I would enjoy running, but a friend recommended it to me about 18 months ago and I really enjoy it.  Running the Bupa London 10,000 seemed a great way to raise funds for an important cause whilst paying tribute to an exceptional lady.'

Lou Heslop's grandmother, Hilda, is 81 and now lives in residential care after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease around five years ago.  Lou said:

'After my grandfather died, my grandmother declined quite rapidly and she now has difficultly recognising people.  You feel quite powerless, but taking part in a Bupa Great Run for Alzheimer's Society enables you to do something positive and help to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.  In just 10 years a million people in the UK will be living with dementia, so it's something which will touch us all at some time.'

Jacquie Wines has fond memories of her grandmother, Alice, particularly of her playing with her great grandchildren.  Jacquie said:

'She was 91 when she died.  I always remember her playing with my children when they were little.  We tried to keep her at home for as long as we could manage, but eventually she needed specialist care.  She was a very special person and taking up the challenge like the Bupa London 10,000, feels like a great way to remember her.'

Around 260 people are taking part in the Bupa London 10,000 for Alzheimer's Society on bank holiday Monday.  The 10k run starts and ends in St James's Park and takes in some of the most historic sights in the capital.

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.