Charlie Quirke Runs London Marathon to Raise Funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK in Honor of Mum Pauline
Charlie Quirke, son of actress Pauline Quirke, is gearing up to run the London Marathon this month, with the aim of raising thousands for Alzheimer’s Research UK. The 31-year-old actor is taking on the gruelling 26.2-mile challenge to support the search for a cure for dementia, following his mother’s diagnosis in 2021.
Pauline, known for her role in Birds of a Feather, was diagnosed with dementia, a condition that robs sufferers of their memory and daily functioning. After going public with the diagnosis in January 2024, Pauline stepped back from professional duties. Now, her son Charlie is determined to make her proud by running the marathon alongside a star-studded team.
“I just want to make my mum proud,” Charlie told The Mirror. His fiancée, Chloe Thornton, and their close friend James Sharman will join him as part of “Team Quirke,” a group of family and friends committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. The team already surpassed their initial £10,000 fundraising goal, thanks to generous donations from friends and supporters, including actors James Corden and Dominic Cooper.
The marathon will be a deeply personal journey for Charlie, with memories of his mum motivating him to push through. “There will only be one thing going through my mind to get me over the finish line: purely and simply, mum,” Charlie shared. He described the experience of living with someone who has dementia as life-changing, emphasizing that every day brings new challenges.
Charlie’s team includes a few familiar faces, with Hollywood star Jack O’Connell, Emmerdale’s Luke Roskell, Waterloo Road’s Adam Long, and Gavin & Stacey actor Andrew Knott all signing up to join the cause. Together, they hope to raise more funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK, with the new fundraising goal set at £15,000.
Pauline and her husband, Steve Sheen, will be watching the marathon from home, cheering on Charlie and the team. Reflecting on the journey ahead, Charlie added, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint, which feels quite poignant.”
As Charlie and his team prepare for the big race, they remain committed to the cause that’s so close to their hearts, hoping their efforts will contribute to the vital research needed to fight dementia.
