Charlie Quirke, son of beloved Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke, is set to make his mark in the upcoming London Marathon this month, all in a bid to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK in honour of his mum’s battle with dementia.
A Son’s Promise: Charlie Quirke Aims to Make His Mum Proud
In a heartfelt gesture, Charlie, 31, is taking on the daunting 26.2-mile challenge on Sunday, April 26, with the support of a star-studded team and his fiancée Chloe Thornton, 27. He’s determined to make his mum proud, as she continues her fight against dementia — a cruel condition that robs sufferers of their memories and everyday abilities.
Pauline, 66, who is best known for her iconic role in Birds of a Feather, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, but it wasn’t until January of the following year that the family publicly shared the news. Charlie is running the marathon to raise awareness for the disease that has already touched his own family, with a goal of raising much-needed funds to support the search for a cure.
Rallying Behind a Cause
Charlie’s marathon team is a powerful one, including some of his closest friends and famous faces such as Hollywood actor Jack O’Connell, who starred alongside Pauline in Skins, and Luke Roskell, who worked with Pauline on Emmerdale. Also joining the team are Waterloo Road star Adam Long, Gavin & Stacey‘s Andrew Knott, and sports broadcaster James Sharman.
“It’s going to be an incredible honour,” Charlie told The Mirror. “When Alzheimer’s Research UK agreed to let Chloe and James join me, it felt right. We then thought of forming ‘Team Quirke,’ and when I explained why we were running, my friends immediately jumped in to help.”
Raising Awareness and Funds
The Quirke family’s marathon mission has already struck a chord with fans, with an impressive £10,000 raised within weeks of launching the campaign. Thanks to the generosity of donors, including James Corden, who contributed £2,000, and Dominic Cooper, who donated £500, Charlie’s team is now aiming for a new goal of £15,000.
“I can’t believe we hit our target so quickly,” Charlie said. “Now, we’ve raised the bar, hoping to raise even more. It’s all for the cause, to support the search for a cure for dementia. With more funding and support, we can make significant strides in understanding the disease and developing better treatments.”
A Family’s Strength in Unity
Pauline and her husband Steve, along with their daughter Emily, 40, will be cheering Charlie and his team on from the comfort of their home, watching the marathon on TV, just as they’ve done every year. But this time, Charlie will be out there, running with the hopes and prayers of his family behind him.
“Seeing my mum’s journey with dementia is something we deal with as a family every day,” Charlie shared. “Living with someone with dementia is different for everyone, but every day is a learning experience. Raising awareness is crucial, and I want to do everything I can to help.”
As he laces up his trainers and prepares for the big day, Charlie’s thoughts are clear: “It’s all for mum.” With his fiancée Chloe by his side, Charlie is determined to finish the race, not just for a cause, but for the woman who gave him everything.
Join Team Quirke in the Fight Against Dementia
As Team Quirke approaches the finish line, Charlie’s message is one of hope and perseverance. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he said, reflecting on both the race and the ongoing battle against dementia. “And every step counts.”
Let’s all rally behind Charlie and his team as they take on the challenge of a lifetime — for Pauline, for families everywhere affected by dementia, and for a cure.
