Tag: health

Walking for Pauline: A Son’s Journey of Love, Hope and Determination

Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke MBE was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. Her family, who are unsure what stage she is at, have spoken of the “disbelief” they felt at the time.

I have known Pauline, her husband Steve, and their children Charlie and Emily for a very long time. They used to own a property here in Mallorca, which is when I first interviewed Pauline. That interview sparked a meeting with my wife Rachael, Pauline, Steve and me that led to the opening of the Pauline Quirke Academy here in Mallorca in 2009.

PQA is a performing arts academy for children and young people aged 4–18, offering classes in musical theatre, comedy and drama, and film and television. They have over 200 academies in the UK and here  in Mallorca, it runs every Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 at Agora School in Portals Nous.

Since Pauline’s diagnosis, the family have been very private, as they did not want any press intrusion. Last month they shared an update on Pauline’s condition, and the news that Charlie will be bringing hope home this Christmas by embarking on a trek in honour of his beloved mum. The trek starts next Monday, the 8th of December, and he will walk 140 km in five days, raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

I interviewed Charlie last week to find out more about it.

RP: Hi Charlie, good to talk to you. I think everybody would like to know: how is your mum?

CQ: Hi mate, thank you for asking. She’s good. You know, she is still, as you know, the funniest woman ever—caring and loving as always. We’re all determined to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for this illness.

RP: Just over 15 years ago, we started the Pauline Quirke Academy here in Mallorca, and it’s been fantastic. The support that we’ve received from both your mum and your dad has been amazing throughout that time. This is a great thing you’re doing, Charlie. When do you actually start?

CQ: Monday, December the 8th. So yeah, it’s a little under two weeks now. It’s come around fast, and I’m walking for five days across five counties, embarking on places that have touched my mum’s life, and our family’s life and history. So starting in Chigwell—the iconic home of Birds of a Feather, of course—then to West Ham’s training ground, through London to Islington, then Windsor where my mum got her MBE, then to the headquarters of PQA, and finally to where we now live.

RP: Five days, 140 kilometres. So it’s more or less 30 kilometres a day. So we’re talking… well, not far off a marathon a day, basically.

CQ: Yes. Maybe I’m not good enough at maths—I didn’t realise how much it was! I think it’s about three and a half marathons in the five days.

RP: Have you been training? I ask because am I right in saying that you are recovering from a broken leg?

CQ: So, in a football match at the end of August, I fractured my tibia and did my MCL. So it’s all been a bit of a mess. I was allowed out yesterday for the first time in four months to walk for about 45 minutes in one go. So I’m aching a little bit now.

RP: You need to make sure you have a good pair of trainers. I think I saw you out in a pair of Adidas the other day?

CQ: I’ve been lucky enough that Alzheimer’s Research UK have got me all kitted out in Adidas. Adidas wanted to come on board and help the cause. So yeah, I’m head to toe in Adidas clobber, and the shoes are actually Alzheimer’s Research UK colours, so that’s a good omen.

RP: Have you got people joining you on the walk?

CQ: Yeah, so they’ve been keeping it a surprise, but I think I’ve got a lot of familiar faces from my mum’s career joining me. Also a lot of my friends that are in the industry. Some actors that my mum’s worked with who can’t make it because of scheduling issues, but who really appreciate and respect my mum, are sending good-luck videos as well.

RP: If people want to donate, what’s the best way to do it?

CQ: The best way is the website, which is trek.charliestrek.org. You can go on there and see all the reasons why I’m doing it, and there’s a nice little handy donation button. Otherwise, you can text CHARLIE20 or CHARLIE10 to 70255.

RP: Right now you are just under £50,000, which is an amazing amount of money.

CQ: I never had a figure in my head. I’m hoping I can get to six figures and that now seems a possibility. That’ll make such a difference for research and for finding a cure. It’s incredible—the amount of money shows the amount of support and love for my mum. It’s such a nice feeling, honestly.

RP: Well, listen mate, we wish you all the luck. Please send our love to your mum, your dad and your sister too.

CQ: Cheers Richie, and thanks for your support.

Christmas is a time when families may notice signs of dementia for the first time—a condition almost one million people in the UK are living with today. Heartbreakingly, there is no cure for the condition—yet.

But Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change that. With your support, the charity will give families hope by funding the research that will change and save lives. Here in Mallorca and across Spain there are support groups that are listed below. 

  • Age Concern Mallorca: They provide a wide range of support, including advice, help with paperwork, and connecting people with support groups for dementia and Alzheimers.
  • Ceafa: This is part of the Spanish Alzheimer’s network and is active in Mallorca.
  • Fundación Pasqual Maragall: This foundation has a presence in Mallorca, including holding awareness events in Palma. 
  • Age in Spain: Provides information and referrals for dementia care and support services across Spain.

Nearly all of us have family, a friend or someone we know that suffers from this awful illness, I wish Pauline, Steve, Charlie and Emily all our love. 

Impactful Charity Work Through The Radiothon

One thing I definitely missed when I gave up working in radio in 2022 was the charity work. As soon as we decided to start another station, the Radiothon was already being organised. After opening in February, we decided to wait until we were more established before setting a date.

With any charity work, I think it’s very important that everyone who has helped us raise money knows where it is going and how we are helping. I asked each charity to let us know how our donation would help them.

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Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH)

My relationship with GOSH dates back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. When the Premieres ended in 2016, I continued supporting GOSH through the Radiothons. I’ve also run the London Marathon twice for them, in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00.

Through the Premieres and Radiothons, I am very proud to say we have now raised a total of €766,057.60 for GOSH, supporting many important projects over the years.

Laura Foy, Senior Fundraising Executive – Partnership Management, wrote:

“Every day, around 750 seriously ill children and young people are seen at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Your support through the Radiothon is helping to build a brighter future for them.

With your support, GOSH Charity helps fund advanced medical equipment for treating the toughest conditions, as well as support services that help make life in hospital as normal as possible for young patients and their families. The funds raised also support pioneering research to find treatments and cures for rare and complex childhood illnesses. And thanks to your fundraising, we can build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Cancer is the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK, and this centre will help us beat cancer for more children.

Whether it’s the children at the hospital right now, or the patients of tomorrow, you are making a difference. GOSH has always depended on generous supporters like you to enable seriously ill children to fulfil their potential. The incredible support from people like you means everything to the children and families at GOSH, who are facing some of the hardest challenges of their lives.

On behalf of the children, families and staff at GOSH, thank you so much for generously supporting the Radiothon!”

Thanks,

Laura

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Son Espases Hospital

We have a great relationship with our local public hospital in Palma. Since we started the Radiothon in 2015, we have raised €49,424.87 for the hospital.

Our work with them has been in the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit. Money raised in previous years has helped fund various projects, including decorating an MRI scanner and its room, painting the paediatric ward doors with cartoon characters, creating a brand-new waiting room for parents with children in intensive care, and many other smaller projects.

Natalia Vallés Ruiz, Head of Nursing, told me:

“In order to improve the paediatric patient’s hospital experience and reduce fear and anxiety associated with certain medical procedures, Son Espases has developed a collection of stories specially designed for different moments in the care process for children.

The main character is URPI, the mascot of the Paediatrics Emergency Department. As part of this project, a specific story has been created in which URPI accompanies the child throughout the entire care process, acting as a guide and a friend, helping them feel more comfortable and providing emotional security.

The main purpose of this resource is to reduce fear and anxiety during medical procedures. The activity is conceived as a ‘special mission’ while health professionals carry out the necessary procedures.

Funding from the Radiothon will be used to decorate part of the Paediatric Emergency Department, continue developing and producing visual and narrative materials, and work towards the final goal: fully decorating the Paediatrics ER.”

Many thanks,

Natalia

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Yachting Gives Back

Nick Entwistle set up YGB in 2019 after retiring from Pinmar Yachting, with the aim of fighting hunger and poverty in Mallorca. It is supported by donations from superyachts, the yachting community, and beyond.

Dear Richie,

Very many thanks to you and your lovely team at Wave Mallorca Radio, together with your generous sponsors and donors, for the wonderful donation from your very successful Radiothon.

We have already used some of the funds to buy a much-needed new fridge freezer for the Can Gazà shelter, and we look forward to putting the rest to good use—probably on our monthly shopping trips for Can Gazà, Siloé, Mallorca Sense Fam, and SOS Mamás.

We are hugely grateful for your continuing support and very proud to deliver so much help to the local community on your behalf.

With best regards,

Nick, Anne, Paddy, Jan and Ruth

Yachting Gives Back

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6Points Cycling Challenges

This was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as an individual rider charity ride around Mallorca. It has grown from 6 riders in 2016 to 76 riders in May this year.

Dear Richie,

On behalf of 6Points Cycling Challenges and our three charities—Asdica, SOS Animal and Shambhala—I am delighted to thank you for including us in your Radiothon and for donating €2,872.50.

It was a pleasure to work with you during the Radiothon and to host a 6Point Ride to add value to your endeavours.

Your wonderful donation has been topped up to €3,000 and equally shared between our three charities. The money has already been paid to them, and they are delighted!

With heartfelt thanks,

Yours sincerely,

Bryan Visser

6Points Challenges

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Cancer Support Mallorca

Back in 2011, Krista Hyer set up the group with the aim of helping patients, carers, and anyone affected by cancer. Krista sadly passed away in 2022, but her amazing work has been carried on by Rebecca Upton and Bronwen Griffiths Thomas.

A heartfelt thank you to Wave Mallorca Radio and all the incredible listeners who supported the recent Radiothon in aid of Cancer Support Mallorca.

Thanks to your generosity, the money raised will go a long way in helping us continue our vital work supporting cancer patients and their families across the island. It means we can:

– Provide free translation and interpretation for medical appointments

– Offer transport to and from treatments for those without support

– Give access to nutritional advice and wellbeing programmes

– Provide counselling and emotional support to patients and caregivers

– Carry out home visits for those unable to travel

– Assist with end-of-life planning and grief support

Every euro raised helps ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.

Thank you for being part of our mission.

Rebecca & Bronwen

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With the donations from this year added to all the other Radiothons since 2015, we have now raised €211,892.44. I keep saying this—we are just the messengers, and you, the listeners and readers are the ones who help us achieve our goals for charity. I see it as one big community that can only grow stronger in the years to come, continuing to help those in need.

Thank you!

Be A Loser!

After a few health problems, I have decided that the time is right to lose a few kilos. The idea is that this is a build up to Ayesha and I doing a 36 hour live broadcast called the Radiothon on the 9th and 10th of May. But we want more people to join us on what we believe will be a fun way to lose weight and feel better about ourselves. Between us we have put together a great team of professionals who are going to help us along the way and we have called the challenge “Be a Loser”. 

We are teaming up with “Fit Club Mallorca Gym” and Nicky at “Mallorca Wellness Hub” to create a supportive community anyone can join, enabling you to start reaching own personal well being goals.

Nicky has been a health coach for 10 years now helping people.

Using “Herbalife” nutrition products and working one to one with clients to help change small daily nutrition plans and health habits which are tailored to each individuals needs. Not only do you get great results, but you will keep the healthy habits long term to maintain that result. AND as a chef herself and big food lover Nicky’s meal plans mean never having to give up any foods and still be able to have a life!

Nicky will be giving a free and private one to one “Wellness Evaluation” in person or online so that can include people living anywhere outside of Mallorca. 

Providing personalised nutrition plans

Free access to online support

AND one to one coaching

Including a fantastic 10% discount on the all important Herbalife products.

For more information contact Nicky: https://boards.com/a/O1l3C4.3IItiI

Fit Club Mallorca gym in Son Caliu offers the best selection of high-tech fitness equipment in Mallorca and great classes for all abilities to join. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will be there to guide you and are dedicated to helping you understand how to use the equipment effectively. With our “Be a Loser” community you will also have access to the Recovery Room the ultimate sanctuary for post-workout rejuvenation, as you discover a holistic approach to recovery and elevate your fitness journey, it’s not all bad!

Achieve your fitness goals efficiently and safely with Fit Club Mallorca

Fit Club Mallorca are giving an amazing membership offer for just 75€ a month to include:

Full gym membership

No joining fee

Free protein shake on your first day

A PT induction

Unlimited access to the recovery room

That’s a super saving of 200€

To have access to this offer simply say when booking, you are with Wave Mallorca Radio Community to Be a Loser https://fitclubmallorca.com 

If you’re still not quite sure and want some more information you can always contact us studio@wavemallorca.com / +34 670 704 311

Ayesha and I invite you to join me on what will be a fun journey and I’m sure we’ll have a laugh or two along the way. 

So come on Be A Loser!

Health Matters

One of the traits most men have is that we won’t admit that we’re ill, It’s something that we tend to shy away from. Why visit a doctor to tell you you’re not well when a couple of pills will suffice, or you ride out the problem. I’m in this camp, or let’s say I was in this camp. 

Since the pandemic, I took the decision to make sure I do a yearly MOT, as I’m getting to the age where unfortunately things don’t work as well as they did. I say yearly, but that doesn’t include the regular visits I now do to the dentist and chiropodist. I didn’t visit the dentist for over 30 years, mainly because of a bad experience I had when I was a kid. A few years ago a friend of mine, a dentist in the UK, asked me to go to his practice and he promised he would be as gentle as he could. One thing about his practice that I loved was he had a TV screen in the ceiling so as you laid back you could watch the TV. Meaning, I concentrated more on Sky Sports News than I did on the work that he was doing. Luckily though there wasn’t anything majorly wrong with my teeth, which he found amazing after 30 years, and so my reluctance to go to the dentist was cured. I now go regularly to Howard Forge at the Santa Ponsa Dental Practice in Santa Ponsa. Who is without doubt one of the best on the island. 

I also regularly visit the Clinica de Pie (Chiropodist) in Santa Ponsa. Pedro Ortega was recommended to me by quite a few people and I would recommend him to any of you out there. One thing I am behind with is my eyes and yes I know, should have gone to Specsavers! That’s on my list. 

Back to my yearly MOT, which I did privately through Juaneda. I have no problem with the national health system here in Spain, by the way. I still use them, but having a private insurance is peace of mind for the whole family and if I’m paying for it, I might as well use it. Marisa the doctor in Palma Nova is an absolute star and says it how it is. I did the whole works both in Palma Nova and the clinic in Palma. There’s not a test known to man which I didn’t do. One of the tests I did showed that I’d got a hernia, and it needed to be operated on. So the week before last I was in Juaneda preparing for the operation. I have to say the treatment and care I received was second to none and within 24 hours I was home. I’m now in my second week of recovery, and it’s taking longer than I thought. But I’m glad I did what I did. I urge any of you out there who like me didn’t like to visit the doctors to do so. I know it’s not easy, as I’ve been there, but sometimes you owe it to your family and friends to make sure you’re in good health.