Rachael’s going the extra 5k for her mum and Alzheimer’s Society in the Bupa London 10,000

She will be raising funds for Alzheimer's Society, Bupa's nominated charity for a third consecutive year.

The 38 year old, who is a PA for a caravan park company, is running in honour of her mother, Rosemary, who is 70 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease about five years ago, at just 65.  Rachael said:

'After my father died, mum deteriorated and she's been in a nursing home for the last two years for her own safety really.  She enjoys lots of activities and is very well cared for.  You never think it will touch you, but in just 10 years there will be a million people in the UK living with dementia.'

Rachael is a regular runner and has done several 5k events, but this will be her first 10k.  She added:

'I'll be running with a friend, but the biggest motivation for me is to run for my mum.  The money raised for Alzheimer's Society from the Bupa Great Runs will fund the National Dementia Helpline and local services.  Knowing that every penny will help to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, really keeps you going.'

Around 250 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.