His braveness and power have been an inspiration says Drogheda Dolls founder
Charlie Bird with Drogheda Dolls founder Natalie Kelly in February 2022.
Noel McArdle and Natalie Kelly on the ‘Walk for Charlie’ occasion in April 2022.
The pupils of St Paul’s despatched a message of assist to the late Charlie Bird in January 2022, organised by Drogheda Dolls. Aerial photograph by Anthony Murphy.
Tributes have been paid domestically to the journalist Charlie Bird, who misplaced his courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease on Monday on the age of 74.
The former RTE journalist had been recognized with the illness in October 2021. He spoke publicly about his sickness and raised in extra of €3.4m for quite a lot of charities together with the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
He is survived by his spouse Claire, daughters Orla and Nessa, grandchildren Abigail, Charlie, Edward, Harriet and Hugo, and his three brothers.
Charlie was given a heat welcome when he visited Drogheda in February 2022 on the invitation of Drogheda Dolls and St. Nicholas GFC, and he walked a lap of the pitch with pupils of St. Paul’s pupils, and naturally his trusty canine Tiger.
A clearly emotional Charlie listened as Anthony Matthews learn a lovely poem known as ‘Drogheda is With You Charlie’ and Natalie Kelly from Drogheda Dolls offered him with a cheque for €1,250 for his ‘Climb with Charlie’ marketing campaign.
She mentioned he was an enormous inspiration and will likely be enormously missed.
“I’m devastated to listen to Charlie has gone to heaven; all our hearts are along with his beloved Claire and Charlie’s youngsters and household and mates,” she informed the Drogheda Independent. “We will never forget him or his visit here to Drogheda.
“His courage and strength ,which shone through despite his battle with MND, was clear for all to see. He was an inspiration to the nation and his message to extend the hand of friendship to all you meet will continue to be part of my daily ethos especially within our Drogheda Dolls group.”
On 2 April 2022, hundreds of individuals climbed peaks round Ireland and overseas in solidarity with Mr Bird as he made a private pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick as a part of his ‘Climb with Charlie’ marketing campaign.
Noel McArdle and Natalie organised an area walk from Clogherhead to Baltray on the identical day so as to add to his fundraising efforts.
“His positivity and genuine love of people despite his illness was so powerful. I felt very honoured and humbled to meet him,” says Noel. “He was an inspiration to many and a shining example to never give up and believe anyone can make a difference. I pray for his family and I hope his life well lived will bring them some comfort in the years ahead”.
