'Granddad's gone. Now I’ll run in his memory'

Sadly, James's grandfather, George, died just a few weeks before James is due to take part in the 10k run on 30 May, to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society.

James, aged 22 and from Upminster, said:

'Granddad and I were very close and I decided to do the run in his honour and raise funds for Alzheimer's Society.  I'm very sad that Granddad won't be here to see my medal, but I'll do the run anyway and in his memory. The money raised by taking part in a Bupa Great Run for Alzheimer's Society helps to fund the National Dementia Helpline and local support service for people with dementia and their carers.'

George died aged 88, having lived with Alzheimer's disease for the past 6 years.  James says thinking about his granddad will motivate him during the run.  James added:

'I started running about 12 months ago.  I did a 5k run, but thought for my next one, I'd try something more challenging.  I don't have a time in mind, my aim is just to run as fast as possible, but however it turns out, I know Granddad would have been proud of me.'

Around 250 people are taking part in the Bupa London 10,000 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.

Alzheimer's Society is the nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run Series for a third consecutive 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.'

- Ends -

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

Alzheimer's Society

 

•  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.