Pauline Quirke’s son raises £200k for Alzheimer’s Research UK

The son of actress Pauline Quirke says the experience of taking on a 140km (87 mile) fundraising walk for research into Alzheimer’s has changed his outlook on life.

The 66-year-old Birds of a Feather star, who has also starred in Emmerdale and Broadchurch, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021.

Charlie Quirke’s trek, which finished at the family home in Buckinghamshire, included “iconic locations” from his mother’s life and career, including the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in Loudwater, near High Wycombe.

Mr Quirke, 31, has raised more than £200,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“[It was] the most rewarding experience and biggest challenge of my life,” he told BBC Breakfast.

The adventure, which began in Chigwell, the suburban Essex-London border town where BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather was set, had been “far more difficult” than he had expected, but he had been “overwhelmed” by the love shown for his mum.

“Physically [it was] always going to be demanding, but emotionally I was struggling as the days progressed,” he said.

Speaking about his mum, Mr Quirke said she was “still smiling, laughing and happy”.

“It’s not a complete end-of-the-line diagnosis, but we’d rather it didn’t happen to anyone,” he added.

He said the challenge and hearing people’s stories along the way had “completely changed” his outlook.

“I’ve been an actor all these years trying to follow mum’s footsteps, but [having been] able to speak to these people and hear their stories [means] I really want to continue to do that,” he said.

“I want to present other people’s stories and do more for Alzheimer’s Research UK. I felt like I made a difference and I want to continue to do that.”

The fundraiser has raised £205,960 for the charity so far.

Mr Quirke said: “That will change lives… We’ll all learn more about ourselves and the condition, and if we can make a difference and find a cure sooner rather than later, that’s going to change generations.

“That’s what I did it all for and what my mum wanted me to do it all for.”