Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie is set to tackle his debut London Marathon later this month, running in honour of his mother following her dementia diagnosis five years ago.
The 31-year-old actor has assembled a group of friends and family to compete in the 26.2 mile race through the capital, with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The Birds of a Feather star, now 66, received her diagnosis in 2021, though the family only shared the news publicly in January last year when her husband Steve Sheen confirmed she would be stepping away from professional commitments.
“I just want to make my mum proud,” Charlie told The Mirror.
Pauline Quirke was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 | PA
Dementia currently affects nearly one million people across the UK, with Alzheimer’s representing the most prevalent form of the condition.
Team Quirke brings together an impressive roster of supporters for the charity run.
Charlie’s fiancée Chloe Thornton, a 27-year-old tech strategist at Google DeepMind, will be running alongside him, as will sports broadcaster James Sharman.
“I’d only feel comfortable running if Chloe and James could do it with me, as the two people closest to me,” Charlie explained.
“When they said yes, we came up with the idea of forming Team Quirke and offered the opportunity to some of my best friends. When I said why we’d be running, they all agreed instantly.”
Hollywood actor Jack O’Connell, who appeared with Pauline in the E4 drama Skins where she portrayed DS Blunt, has also joined the team.
Additional runners include Luke Roskell, whose first acting role was on Emmerdale alongside Pauline, Waterloo Road’s Adam Long, and Gavin & Stacey’s Andrew Knott.
The fundraising effort has already exceeded expectations, with Team Quirke collecting £11,000 to date.
Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke | INSTAGRAM
Their original target of £10,000 was reached within weeks of launching the campaign, prompting the group to raise their ambitions to £15,000.
“It’s incredible that we smashed our target so early,” Charlie said. “We’ve now upped it in the hope we can raise even more for the charity. We want to do everything we can to help find a cure for dementia.”
Celebrity donations have helped boost the total, with James Corden contributing £2,000 and Dominic Cooper giving £500.
Charlie emphasised that all funds raised through the marathon would directly support research efforts: “All the donations we raise for the marathon will support their search for a cure.”
This marathon follows Charlie’s previous charitable endeavour, a 140km trek completed over five days that generated approximately £175,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Pauline and her film producer husband Steve will be supporting from their home on race day.
“[They] will be watching it on the telly as they have done every year, just this time, their little boy will be out there,” Charlie said.
When asked what would drive him across the finish line, his answer was straightforward: “Purely and simply, mum.”
Reflecting on caring for someone with dementia, Charlie noted: “It really is different for everyone. Every day is a school day. The more awareness we can raise, the better for all.”
He added with poignancy: “It’s a marathon not a sprint, which feels quite poignant.”