Charlie Bird has received a global award for his fundraiser, Climb with Charlie, which came about final 12 months.
The former RTÉ chief information correspondent raised over €3.6m following his Croagh Patrick climb which he stated was one of many “most remarkable” days in his life.
Today, the most important fundraiser received an award on the Global Alliance’s World Public Relations and Communication Awards.
It was the one entry to be shortlisted for the awards which options main corporations and companies from over 100 international locations.
President Michael D Higgins was amongst these to congratulate Bird on the win.
President Higgins posted a photograph of himself with Bird and their dogs at Áras an Uachtaráin together with the message: “Congratulations to Charlie Bird and all concerned with the Climb with Charlie marketing campaign following its award of Best Non-For-Profit Campaign on the World Public Relations and Communiation Awards 2023.”
Bird arrange the marketing campaign after he was recognized with Motor Neurone Disease, the money raised went to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and psychological well being charity Pieta.
Thousands of individuals joined the marketing campaign with over 150 climbs going down in places across the nation with corresponding walks additionally going down within the US, Canada, England, Australia and Dubai.
Climb with Charlie was submitted to the awards by Bird’s good friend Paul Allen of the PR agency, Paul Allen and Associates, which was the lead communications group behind the initiative.
Allen stated the group are over the moon for Bird saying how the marketing campaign had began as a easy thought and went on to boost tens of millions for 2 nice charities.
A good friend of Bird’s, Allen stated: “We determined to offer one thing again, volunteer our time, put our shoulder to the wheel and donate eight months {of professional} providers to handle Climb With Charlie.”
Since his prognosis, Bird has spent an excessive amount of time elevating consciousness about MND and elevating money for varied charities.
He has additionally inspired others to offer again and “prolong the hand of friendship” to 1 one other.
Bird turned 74 earlier this month and posted a message forward of his birthday saying “in a means a miracle has occurred to me”.
“I am unable to actually imagine it. Around this time final 12 months I stated I did not assume I might see one other birthday,” he stated within the video that includes his beloved pup, Tiger, sitting on his knee.
“But the love from Claire, my daughters, all my RTÉ colleagues and the love and kindness that has been proven to be by folks proper throughout this nation has helped to maintain me alive.
“It has been wonderful. There are not any phrases to explain it. Yes, within the final whereas, my Motor Neurone Disease has severely deteriorated.
“But on daily basis I reside, I wish to preserve elevating consciousness and lengthening the hand of friendship to folks in darkish locations. These will not be glib phrases. I actually do love everybody.
“And, in fact, I can not overlook Tiger. It is a miracle the way in which he takes care of me.”
In recent weeks, he led the marketing campaign for Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice which came about immediately.
Last month, Bird revealed that he’s receiving hospice care at his Wicklow home saying that “on daily basis is a wrestle for me now”.
“I want to make one thing very clear: when my time comes, I want to pass away at home surrounded by my family – and the hospice care team say they will look after me there,” he stated.
Addressing individuals who had been just lately recognized with MND, he stated folks ought to reside every day at a time and “fight as hard as you can”.
Encouraging folks to assist the necessary work of hospices, he stated: “None of us is aware of on this life once we may want hospice care.
“So please, prolong the hand of friendship and assist the hospice wherever they’re within the nation.”
