‘Thinking of dad will keep me going’ - Bronwyn runs the Bupa London 10,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

Despite a blip in her training schedule, she says the 10k run will be nothing compared to the challenges her father, Bruce, faces every day since his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, aged just 56.  Bronwyn said:

'Dad was diagnosed about five years ago, but he's deteriorated quite rapidly in the last six months or so.  He now needs a lot of care and support, but although he's so ill, it's difficult to find suitable residential care for someone when they're only 61 and still physically strong.'

Bronwyn, who moved to the UK from South Africa 14 years ago, is a partner in an HR company.  She took up running a couple of years ago after being persuaded to enter a half marathon by a friend.  Bronwyn added:

'Signing up for a Bupa Great Run in honour of someone you love really motivates you and gives you a focus.  When I'm running, if I get tired and start to flag, I remind myself it will only last for 45 minutes or a few hours; whereas Dad faces far worse every hour of every day.  Thinking of him keeps me going.'

This is the third consecutive year Bupa have chosen Alzheimer's Society as the nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run Series.  Over £2 million has been raised to date.  Around 260 people are taking part in the Bupa London 10,000 for Alzheimer's Society on bank holiday Monday to help raise that total to £3 million by the end of the year.  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.