All 5 elephant sculptures will graze in Stephen’s Green on Saturday morning earlier than the sculpture of the infant elephant will probably be wheeled down Dawson Street and welcomed to the Mansion House by Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste, the place it is going to stay on show for the remainder of the week.
Charlie Bird was identified with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2021 and has change into an advocate for others residing with terminal diseases.
The veteran broadcster raised a file quantity of €4.1 million for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) following his Croagh Patrick climb in 2022.
On Twitter, Mr Bird mentioned he now views life from a wheelchair and it has given him a “new lease of life”
“This Saturday morning, at 10.30 we will probably be on the Summer House in Stephens Green for Brent Popes nice undertaking Elephant within the Room,” he mentioned.
“I now view life from a wheelchair. It has given me a brand new lease of life, and permits me to maintain elevating consciousness for folks in darkish locations.”
The 5 elephants sculptures symbolize the ‘The Elephant in the Room’ motion, which was created by Brent Pope to boost consciousness of psychological well being points, particularly within the office. The sculpture is devoted to Mr Bird and Samaritans, the charity that’s 70 years old this week.
The occasion on Saturday begins simply earlier than 11 am on the Summer House in Stephen’s Green, the place the sculptures will probably be on present to the general public.
The ‘Elephant in the Room’ marketing campaign is supported by a number of well-known ambassadors and psychological well being advocates, together with U2’s Adam Clayton, comic PJ Gallagher, rugby participant Caelan Doris, and veteran journalist broadcaster Mr Bird – the latter of whom has signed the elephant, together with President Michael D Higgins.
Mr Bird has not too long ago shared an update on his present well being to his followers on social media.
“My MND is altering quick. I’m now utilizing a feeding tube and can quickly have to make use of a mobility travelator to get out and about.”
Mr Bird, an envoy for Elephant within the Room, mentioned he was dedicated to serving to folks in darkish locations as he continues to battle with MND.
“I have made a dying wish to myself that as long as I have a breath in my body, I want to extend the hand of friendship to everyone in a dark place,” he mentioned.
“I love the idea that Brent has come up with, the Elephant in the Room. Getting to help raise awareness and funds for the organizations that are helping people in dark places is also helping me to stay alive.
“The artwork on the elephant in my name has been created by the talented artist Niall O’Loughlin, and President Michael D. Higgins has signed his signature on it for Samaritans. Hopefully, it will raise lots of money for Samaritans and raise awareness of a very important issue.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, mentioned he was delighted to show the elephant on the Mansion House.
“It is an honour to work with Charlie, Brent, and Samaritans on this wonderful project,” he mentioned.
“Healthy Dublin City aligns with Healthy Ireland, the nationwide framework for bettering the well being and wellbeing of our residents, which was developed with a long-term imaginative and prescient of bettering the well being and wellbeing of the Irish inhabitants in any respect levels of life.”
Charlie Bird and Brent Pope at the 5km Hand of Friendship Walk in Avondale Forest Park, Co Wicklow. Photo: Fergal Phillips
Mental health advocate and former rugby player Brent Pope, who created the Elephant in the Room movement, said it will be fantastic to have the Charlie Bird/Samaritans elephant displayed at the Mansion House:
“This has been an amazing project to work on, and seeing the elephant take center stage shows that our mental health and wellbeing should also take center stage. Charlie’s energy and resilience are a lesson for us all.”
Sarah O’Toole, Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland, paid tribute to Charlie and Brent for his or her assist and Samaritans volunteers who’re there for others every single day:
“Samaritans’ main message is to urge people to reach out and talk before a problem becomes too big, and it is important for companies to get behind and promote and support this in the workplace. The Elephant in the Room is a novel way to start that conversation,” she mentioned.
Anyone who wants assist can name Samaritans 24 hours a day, seven days every week, on freephone 116 123 or electronic mail [email protected].
