On Saturday April 2nd, Charlie Bird will climb Croagh Patrick in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House
Due to Charlie’s Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, the climb will be an immense challenge but he is determined to do it to highlight the vast mountains so many people have to climb in their everyday lives due to severe illness, physical and mental.
The campaign is encouraging everyone to ‘Climb With Charlie’, meaning not just climbing physical mountains, but getting through all the serious challenges in their lives.
While Charlie and his close friends and family embark on their climb on the weekend of April 2nd, the campaign encourages everyone all over Ireland and indeed all over the world get behind his efforts and arrange their own climb in their local area, with all monies raised going to two really worthy charities.
People can also donate to the campaign or find out more on www.climbwithcharlie.ie All funds raised will go to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
Due to COVID restrictions, health & safety, and ongoing environmental works on Croagh Patrick, the campaign cannot facilitate large numbers of people on Croagh Patrick on April 2nd. Therefore, Charlie is encouraging people to climb in their local area, and to keep on climbing the mountains of their personal battle.
Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA)
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.
MND strikes people of all ages and there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.
The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) is the only organisation of its kind in this country. It was set up in May 1985 to provide care and support to people with Motor Neurone Disease, their carers, families and friends.
There are currently over 400 people living with MND in Ireland. MND is often referred to as the 1,000 day disease as most people die within 1,000 days of being diagnosed.
Our key services include:
Home visiting by our Four MND Nurse Specialists
Financial assistance towards home care
Providing specialist medical equipment free of charge to our clients
Assistance towards counselling
Supporting research into the causes and treatments of MND
Freefone Information support line for clients and families
The Association relies heavily on fundraising activities from our members and supporters. We need to raise over 80% of our overall income. It costs approx. 2.4 million to run the Association each year.
For more information or to make a donation, contact us on: 01 670 5942 or visit our web-site: www.imnda.ie
In the months leading up to Charlie s diagnosis . Charlie recorded some of his best work, including interviews with Former President Mary Robinson on the 30th anniversary of her appointment as Irelands President plus interviews with some amazing people , Jimmy Fitzpatrick One of the stardust survivors Sean Binder a Humanitarian and role model and Niall O Dowd founder of the Irish Voice Newspaper USA and more … it also Includes a 4 part series called Ransom 79 on a secret plot of a group holding the state to ransom
The Charlie Bird Senior Times series of podcasts are on the Podcast page of this website
