Googlebox stars join popular Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash race

TV personalities Ellie and Izzi are encouraging Yorkshire fans to take part in Age UK's leading event.

Much-loved stars of Channel 4's Gogglebox, Ellie and Izzi, are supporting Age UK to kick off the charity's renowned Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, now marking its 31st year. The Leeds-based sisters, known for their hilarious comments, are encouraging fellow Yorkshire locals to join them at the starting line of the running event, which sees 12,000 runners take to the streets of Leeds on Sunday 6th November.

Ellie and Izzi said: 'We are both delighted to support this year's Dash, through the streets of our home city. It is so satisfying to know that all of you taking part in this special event will be helping such an important cause. It's wonderful to realise that by doing something you enjoy so much, you are helping Age UK to support so many vulnerable people in later life right here in Leeds and across the UK.

'It's tragic to know that many older people like them are facing later life alone. Together we can do so much to help. We are looking forward to joining you to start the race on November 6th for what is the fastest 10K in the country. We are sure there will be plenty of fireworks from some of the runners out on the course.

'We'll see you then. In the meantime, good luck with all the hard work and the training. It can be tough …. But it will all be worthwhile when you cross that finish line.'

The Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash is popular with fun-runners and elite athletes and has been hailed one of the best races in the country by Men's Running magazine. Participants that sign up to the Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash will be raising funds to help Age UK make a crucial difference to the lives of older people. Research from the charity shows that one in four (2.9 million)1 people aged 65 and over feel they have no one to go to for help and support. Age UK wants to combat this by providing companionship, advice and support to people facing later life alone, and Leeds Abbey Dash runners can help. Some funds raised this year will enable Age UK Leeds, the local charity, to provide services and programmes targeted at lonely older people in the city.

Lydia Curran, Head of Events at Age UK, said: "We're thrilled to have Ellie and Izzi on the starting line for the Leeds Abbey Dash, it's a fantastic event and we're so pleased to have such well-known faces on board to see the runners off.

"It's shocking that millions of older people feel they don't have anyone to turn to for help and support. No one should have no one in our society and everyone who joins Ellie and Izzi at the Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash will help us tackle this widespread problem."

The 10k event costs £24 (£22 UKA affiliated). The Junior Race is £8 to enter (ages from 8-14 years). All finishers will receive a limited edition Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash 2016 t-shirt.

Runners keen to sign up to the Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash should visit www.ageuk.org.uk/dash. Age UK can also provide fundraising tips and advice to runners who would like to raise funds for the Charity. For any enquiries about the event or support with fundraising, email 10k@ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 169 87 87.

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Notes to editors

For more information on the race or for case studies please contact Sarah Timms, Senior Media Officer at Age UK, on 0203 0331204 or email sarah.timms@ageuk.org.uk

Ellie and Izzi are starting the Leeds Abbey Dash and are not available for interview.

Link to download hi-res Gogglebox images: https://we.tl/yMx28O0off (expires 19.10.16, please contact Sarah Timms for updated link)

1 Figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,247 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd - 23rd December 2014. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). 26% of people aged 65+ selected being ‘always, often or sometimes' when answering the question ‘How often, if at all, do you ever feel like you have no-one to go to for help/ support?'. Calculations were made by Age UK. Population figures for the UK are based on mid-2013 population estimates, ONS 2014, using the figure of 11,131,805 people aged 65 or over in the UK.

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).