In a moving tribute to his mother, Charlie Quirke has announced an extraordinary 140km trek to honour Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke, who continues her brave battle with dementia.
A Son's Heartfelt Mission
Charlie Quirke will begin his emotional journey on December 8, walking 140km through locations significant to his mother's life and career. The trek follows Pauline's path from aspiring actress to sitcom superstar, with each stop holding special memories that Charlie plans to carry home with him for Christmas.
Speaking about his motivation, Charlie revealed: "It's what my mum wants me to do. I'm doing it for her, and for every family that has experienced the devastation of dementia, because we must do all we can to find a cure."
He acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating: "It's going to be physically and emotionally challenging. I imagine each day will be a mix of tears, laughs and above all else, so much love for my mum."
The Family's Dementia Journey
Pauline Quirke was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 at age 66, though her family first noticed symptoms in November 2020. Her husband Steve Sheen recalled the initial signs during a BBC Breakfast appearance, explaining how Pauline struggled to read scripts.
"She started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, the words are not going in. That's where it started," Steve shared, describing their initial disbelief at the diagnosis.
The family admitted they remain uncertain about the exact stage of Pauline's condition. Charlie explained: "That's the problem, no one tells you. My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says 'I love you', says 'hello'."
Pauline Quirke's Legacy
The beloved actress announced earlier this year she was stepping away from acting after battling the condition for three years. In a statement, Steve highlighted Pauline's remarkable 50-year career, which included her iconic role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in Birds of a Feather, a performance that spanned nearly three decades.
Her impressive career also featured roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress. In 2022, Pauline received an MBE in the late Queen's final Birthday Honours, recognising her incredible work with young people and contributions to entertainment.
Despite her retirement from acting, the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA) continues to operate, with approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK maintaining her legacy.
The family emphasised taking each day as it comes, with Steve noting: "Unfortunately, we are not in the state where we can do much about it. Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can."
As Charlie prepares for his December trek, he represents not only his mother but every family affected by dementia, carrying forward hope for a cure and awareness for this devastating condition.
