Samantha Giles, the eminent actress, is taking part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run. She is urging people across the North West to join her in raising funds for Alzheimer's Society.

Three years ago, her grandmother, Dink Fairman, was diagnosed with dementia. She is being looked after in a care home.

Samantha said, "It is heart-breaking to see you someone you love with this terrible disease".

She added that a lot of resources are needed in order to help people live well with dementia today. The research should be funded as much as it is possible, to find a cure tomorrow.

Funding of as low as £20 can support a researcher for a day with the equipment and chemicals needed to develop better treatments for dementia.

She is taking part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run for Alzheimer's Society for the second time. She played glamorous Bernice in Emmerdale and will take up a new role in Hollyoaks in the summer.

She shared that she was happy to know that Bupa had chosen Alzheimer's Society as their nominated charity again this year. She opined that Bupa Great Manchester Run is huge fun, as it keeps one fit in addition to raising money towards improving the lives of people with dementia. The run will commence in the month of May.