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Charlie Quirke, son of actress Pauline Quirke, has embarked on a significant 140km (87 mile) walking fundraiser to support Alzheimer’s research. The journey, which follows numerous important locations tied to his mother’s personal history and career, began just before 8:00 GMT at Victory Hall in Chigwell. Chigwell is notable as the setting for the BBC sitcom *Birds of a Feather*, which featured Pauline. The actress, who has also appeared in *Emmerdale* and *Broadchurch*, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021.
During the send-off, Charlie was cheered on by his mother’s close friend and co-star Linda Robson, along with actor Ray Winstone. Well-wishes also came from several others including actresses Ruth Wilson and Olivia Colman, as well as footballers Jarrod Bowen and former West Ham player Carlton Cole. Over the next five days, Charlie’s route will take him to key places such as Islington, where Pauline was born, and to her theatre school’s headquarters in Buckinghamshire. Reflecting on the walk, Charlie shared, “My mum’s career has been so iconic and so many places have formed her life – it’s going to be a really emotional, beautiful journey.”
Linda Robson, speaking to BBC Breakfast, expressed her long-standing connection to the Quirke family: “I had known her co-star’s son since he was in the womb” and called dementia “the worst thing ever.” Highlighting the importance of the cause, Charlie emphasized, “Dementia’s going to affect one in two people in this country, whether they get diagnosed themselves or caring for someone with it.” He stressed that every penny raised will go directly towards research efforts to find a cure.
The challenge includes stops at meaningful spots such as the family’s local football club ground for West Ham, locations in Surrey and Berkshire, and the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in High Wycombe. The journey concludes at the family home in Buckinghamshire. Charlie also revealed some difficulties he faced preparing for the trek, saying, “I actually fractured my leg in August training for this,” and admitted that his longest recent walk before starting was just an hour and a half. Despite this, he credited the support from his team, donors, and well-wishers for keeping him motivated. Current statistics from the Alzheimer’s Society estimate around one million people in the UK live with dementia, with projections rising to 1.4 million by 2040
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