Two South Yorkshire celebrities will lead the Alzheimer’s Society team in this weekend’s Great Yorkshire Run.

Sheffield-born Richard McCourt, one half of TV presenting duo Dick and Dom, and Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes star Dean Andrews, born in Rotherham, are both lending their support to the charity.

Richard, whose mum had Alzheimer’s, will be doing the run for the third year in a row.

He said: “I cared for my mum who had dementia and understand how hard it is to look after someone with the condition.

“I’m proud to be running for Alzheimer’s Society again in my home town.”

Dean Andrews, joining Richard on the 10k run, said: “This is my second Bupa Great Run this year in support of Alzheimer’s Society.

“For me, it’s a great incentive to keep my fitness levels up. Regular exercise, as part of a healthy lifestyle, can reduce your risk of dementia by as much as a third.

“Signing up for a Bupa Great Run is a great way to keep motivated, but the best incentive is knowing that by taking part you can improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.”

By the end of 2011, Bupa hope to have raised £3.5 million to fight dementia – Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Scotland have been their nominated charities for the past three years

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/barnsley/tv_stars_sign_up_for_run_1_3835358