Charlie Quirke, the son of actress Pauline Quirke, has shared an emotional account of running the London Marathon to raise funds for dementia charities following his mother's diagnosis. The 31-year-old led 'Team Quirke', which included his fiancée Chloe Thornton and actor friend Jack O'Connell, in completing the 26.2-mile race on Sunday, with donations currently standing at £11,000 and rising.
An Emotional Marathon Journey
Charlie described the day as 'tough is an understatement' but expressed pride in what the team achieved. He posted photos on social media, including a celebratory kiss with Chloe and a group picture with Team Quirke. The team ran in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK, a cause close to their hearts after Pauline, 66, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. Around one million people in the UK live with the condition, and Charlie is determined to help find a cure.
Team Quirke's Supporters
The team also included Luke Roskell, who worked with Pauline on Emmerdale, Waterloo Road's Adam Long, Gavin & Stacey's Andrew Knott, and sports broadcaster James Sharman. Generous donations came from James Corden (£2,000) and Dominic Cooper (£500). Charlie and his father, Steve Sheen, announced Pauline's diagnosis last year, though she had been dealing with it for four years prior.
Previous Fundraising Efforts
This marathon follows Charlie's previous challenge, a 140km walk over five days called 'Trek For A Cure', which raised around £175,000 for dementia research. During that trek, he was joined by Pauline's former castmates, including Mathew Baynton, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Perry Benson. Charlie retraced his mother's footsteps, visiting places significant to her life and career.
Charlie's determination to make his mother proud is evident. He initially set a fundraising target of £10,000 but quickly surpassed it, raising it to £15,000. 'I just want to make my mum proud,' he said ahead of the marathon.
