Charlie Quirke has revealed the deeply personal reason behind his extraordinary 140km charity trek — and it begins with a simple sentence: “Because it’s what my mum wants me to do.”
The 31-year-old son of Birds Of A Feather legend Pauline Quirke is preparing to walk 87 miles over five days in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK, following his mother’s dementia diagnosis in 2021.
Pauline’s family announced her retirement from acting earlier this year, when news of her condition was made public — a moment that quietly marked the end of an era for one of Britain’s most beloved sitcom stars.
But while headlines focused on her stepping away from the spotlight, behind closed doors the family has been navigating something far more complex.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen offered a heartfelt — and honest — glimpse into her current condition.
“We don’t know,” he admitted when asked about the stage of her dementia. “She’s still funny. She’s talking. She’s happy.”
“Is it four years, eight years, 10 years, 12 years, 20 — who knows?”
Charlie added softly: “And that’s the problem. No one tells you.”
He shared that his mum still recognises her family. “My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says ‘I love you’, says ‘hello’.”
Yet he also acknowledged the unpredictable reality of the illness. “Every day is different for all of us, and that is no different for mum. That’s what makes it so difficult.”
It’s this uncertainty — the not knowing — that has quietly become the backdrop to Charlie’s emotional mission.
Beginning on December 8 in Chigwell, Essex — where Birds Of A Feather was famously set — Charlie will retrace meaningful places from Pauline’s life. His route will take him through Greater London, Surrey and Berkshire, stopping at old family homes, studios and even the training ground of West Ham United, the family’s beloved football club.
The journey will end at his parents’ home in Buckinghamshire, just in time for Christmas.
“I’ve never walked that far before,” Charlie admitted. “But what will keep me going is knowing 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. And then I’ll carry all mum’s memories with me as I reach home for Christmas.”
He describes the trek — named Charlie Quirke’s Trek For A Cure — as both physically and emotionally challenging.
“My mum has always been my best friend, and dementia hasn’t changed that,” he said. “She’s happy, content and loving for as much of the day as she can give us. But it’s a progressive illness and, currently, there is no cure.”
“The hardest thing is knowing there is no cure. It’s not right, and it’s not fair. As a family, we want to do our bit.”
By sharing Pauline’s diagnosis publicly, the family hopes to raise awareness — and ultimately funds — to accelerate research.
Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, praised Charlie’s efforts.
“We’re honoured that Pauline Quirke and her family have become Ambassadors of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and delighted that Charlie has taken on this challenge,” she said.
“Like so many families, Charlie knows the devastation dementia causes. But by embarking on this trek, he will help bring hope of a cure home to families everywhere.”
For Charlie, however, the mission feels even more personal.
It’s not just about distance. It’s about time.
Time spent remembering. Time spent holding onto laughter. Time spent walking through places that shaped the woman who once made the nation laugh — and who, he says, still smiles every time she sees him.
People can support Charlie Quirke’s Trek For A Cure by texting CHARLIE5, CHARLIE10 or CHARLIE20 to 70255 to donate £5, £10 or £20, or by donating online at trek.charliestrek.org.
