Charlie Quirke, the son of the Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke MBE, has revealed plans to embark on an emotional five-day fundraising trek for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The trek will take place on 8-12 December, spanning 140km across five counties, in potentially punishing winter weather.
Earlier in the year, Pauline’s family shared that she is living with dementia and has stepped back from her career.
Heartbroken by the realisation that there is currently no cure for dementia, the family pledged their support to Alzheimer’s Research UK and have since become .
Charlie Quirke’s Trek For A Cure will serve as their first event since taking on the role.
Charlie said: “I’m really excited to support Alzheimer’s Research UK in this way, because it’s what my mum would want me to do. She’s such a selfless person, and I know she’ll be delighted that I’m doing this to help others.”
Memories and milestones
Charlie, also an actor, will start his trek on Monday 8 December, setting out from Chigwell, Essex, where Pauline’s iconic show Birds of a Feather was set.
He’ll travel on foot to places that hold special meaning for Pauline and the family. Heading through London and beyond, he’ll stop at old family homes, studios, and the training ground of the family’s beloved football team, West Ham.
For Charlie, the journey will be a deeply emotional one, as he retraces Pauline’s footsteps from aspiring actress to sitcom superstar, and as a daughter, a wife and a mother.
Charlie will be joined along the route by friends, family and a few famous faces, all whose lives have been touched by Pauline. Fuelling him on will be the determination to raise awareness and fund the research that will one day find a cure for dementia.
I’ve never walked that far before, but what will keep me going is knowing that I’ll be reaching places that mean so much to Mum. There’s so much about her life that I don’t know, so I’m excited to learn more about her as I go.
Charlie Quirke
Charlie’s final stop, on Friday 12 December, will be the most emotional of them all, as the trek comes to an end at the family home in Buckinghamshire.
“I’ll carry all mum’s memories with me as I reach home for Christmas,” said Charlie.
Bringing hope home
Pauline is best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the hit comedy sitcom Birds of a Feather, in which Charlie also starred. She has also had roles in Broadchurch, Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, My Family and Emmerdale.
Reflecting on his mum’s dementia diagnosis in 2021, Charlie spoke poignantly about the pain of coming to terms with the fact that there is no cure.
He said: “It’s not right, and it’s not fair. And it’s why, as a family, we wanted to do our bit. Research is the only thing that will give families a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Mum is happy, content and loving for as much of the day as she can give us.
Charlie Quirke
How you can show your support
If nothing changes, one in two people will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing the condition themselves, caring for someone with it, or both. Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia charity and exists for a cure. Only research will lead us there.
Alzheimer’s Research UK chief executive Hilary Evans-Newton said: “We’re honoured that Pauline Quirke and her family have become Ambassadors of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and delighted that her son, Charlie, has decided to take on this challenge for our cause.
“Like so many, Charlie knows all too well the devastation dementia causes, following his mum’s diagnosis. But by going on this gruelling trek, he will be helping to bring hope of a cure home to every family affected by dementia.
“We wish Charlie the best of luck and we can’t wait to follow his journey.”
Please support Charlie Quirke’s Trek For A Cure and donate by texting ‘CHARLIE5’, ‘CHARLIE10’ or ‘CHARLIE20’ to 70255. Alternatively, donate online at www.charliestrek.org
