For five emotional days, Charlie Quirke walked not just with his feet, but with his heart.
By the time he crossed the finish line in Buckinghamshire, Charlie had raised an astonishing £177,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK — a powerful act of love inspired by his mother, beloved actress Pauline Quirke, following her heartbreaking dementia diagnosis.
This was never about distance.
It was about memory.
A Journey Through a Life Loved by Millions
Charlie’s five-day charity challenge, Trek For A Cure, was deeply personal. Each step retraced the places that shaped Pauline’s life — her childhood schools, the theatres where her talent flourished, family homes filled with memories, and the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, the legacy she built to nurture young talent.
When Charlie reached the academy, witnesses say he paused, visibly overcome. For a moment, words failed him. The emotion spoke for itself.
Earlier this year, Pauline, 66 — best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the iconic BBC sitcom Birds Of A Feather — made the heartbreaking decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties as she continues to live with dementia.
Her son refused to let that moment pass quietly.
“This Isn’t Just for My Mum”
Charlie began his journey on December 8 in Chigwell, Essex, forever linked to Birds Of A Feather. Fellow cast members Linda Robson and Ray Winstone were there to see him off — a symbolic start filled with love and support.
His route carried him through Greater London, Surrey and Berkshire, including a stop at West Ham United’s training ground at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — a place close to the family’s heart.
Along the way, the journey became something bigger than one man and his grief.
Actors Mathew Baynton and Perry Benson joined him for parts of the trek, while Lorraine Kelly walked beside him for the final stretch.
Strangers stopped him in the street. Messages flooded in from across the country. Families affected by dementia said they felt seen — and understood.
“I can’t thank people enough,” Charlie said at the end of the trek.
“The love from people all over the country has meant everything — from those who walked with me, messaged me, or just stopped to say thank you.”
“I’m blown away by how much we’ve raised. We did this to help find a cure — and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported our family.”
A Fight Bigger Than One Family
Charlie’s father, Steve Sheen, made it clear this was about more than personal loss.
“This isn’t just for Pauline,” he said.
“It’s for everyone affected by dementia. If nothing changes, one in two people will be directly impacted — either developing the condition themselves, caring for someone who has it, or both.”
Jessica Taylor-Khan, Director at Alzheimer’s Research UK, confirmed the total raised has already exceeded £177,000, praising Charlie’s courage and commitment.
“Charlie’s incredible trek will make a real difference in accelerating progress towards a cure,” she said.
“He’s also helped shine a light on dementia and given a voice to countless families living with this disease every day.”
Turning Heartbreak Into Hope
As Charlie completed his journey, messages of support continued to pour in — not just celebrating the money raised, but the strength it took to turn private pain into public purpose.
He didn’t shout.
He didn’t seek attention.
He simply walked — through memory, love, and loss.
Gift baskets
And by doing so, he reminded the country that even when memory fades, love does not.