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There is no other way I might make it to the top of Croagh Patrick once again

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When individuals fulfill Charlie Bird and connect to shake his hand, he is typically stunned to discover they’ve pushed a number of €50 notes into his palm.

The previous RTÉ reporter and broadcaster just recently got a contribution of €2,000 for his Climb With Charlie job.

The job, which he developed after being identified with motor neurone illness (MND) in 2021, reached over €3.6m in the months after his climb of the ‘Reek’ in 2015.

On April 2, Bird marks the very first anniversary of the climb he led up Mayo’s Croagh Patrick, and he has actually already asked those who wished to keep in mind the occasion with him to “extend the hand of friendship”.

An approximated 10,000 individuals, including this press reporter, signed up with Bird and his better half, Claire Mould, and extended friends and family on the ‘upside-down mountain’, as Croagh Patrick is understood, in south Mayo last April. It was a marvelous spring day.

Bird launched a dove prior to he set out from Murrisk in the business of vocalist Daniel O’Donnell, fighter Barry McGuigan, designer Dermot Bannon, and numerous RTÉ coworkers, consisting of Ryan Tubridy.

Members of cervical advocate Vicky Phelan’s family, using sky-blue Tee shirts bearing her name, likewise took a trip for the occasion.

“Fair play to you, Charlie”, “good on you, Charlie”, “we love you, Charlie” was the continuous patter up the Reek, with well-wishers from all compass points stopping to accept him, take pictures, and want the couple well.

Charlie Bird climbs Croagh Patrick to raise funds for two charities which are very close to his heart – Irish Motor Neurone Disease (IMNDA) and Pieta, Ireland’s national suicide prevention charity. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin
Charlie Bird climbs up Croagh Patrick to raise funds for 2 charities which are extremely near to his heart – Irish Motor Neurone Disease (IMNDA) and Pieta, Ireland’s nationwide suicide avoidance charity. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

A year on, Bird is heartened to understand that contributions are still pertaining to his 2 chosen charities — the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Pieta House, Ireland’s nationwide suicide avoidance charity.

And so the Climb With Charlie fund is “still open” for contributions, he verifies. The effect of such a big contribution is such for both charities that it has actually enabled them to present multi-annual jobs. For circumstances, Pieta opened a devoted treatment space at its Swords centre in County
Dublin, and Bird was welcomed to reveal a plaque bearing his name.

Pieta likewise developed the ‘Charlie Bird Crisis Intervention Fund’ in August 2022 and says this will run for 3 years.

A scientific research study job into enhanced treatments for MND and the recruitment of an additional scientific nurse professional are amongst the IMNDA-funded efforts up until now.

The IMNDA got over €1.7m after the climb, and has actually assigned it to numerous jobs (see panel). Professor Orla Hardiman says the joint research study group she is leading at Trinity College Dublin and Beaumont has a variety of scientific trials underway.

The portion of Climb With Charlie funds assigned to the IMNDA for research study would benefit numerous jobs, she says. One of these will enable financing of trials with a substance abuse to treat HIV/Aids.

“Some forms of MND may be associated with a part of a virus that gets into the DNA, and if we can develop the ability to turn off this piece of virus, it may be suitable to slow down progression of the disease,” she says.

While a treatment is not on the horizon, Hardiman is carefully positive about research study targeted at decreasing or stopping illness development to a phase where it would end up being a persistent condition that individuals would pass away with instead of from.

The Samaritans, which runs a 24-hour private helpline for those requiring psychological assistance, has actually gained from Bird’s choice to highlight the work of its volunteers.

Bird will lead a 5km walk through Avondale Forest Park in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, with Samaritans volunteers and fans on Sunday, April 16.

Impact on broader family

Bird interacts utilizing voice innovation and is active on social networks. He reacted to a series of concerns from the Irish Examiner about the very first anniversary of his Reek climb.

“Yes, my health has diminished,” he composes.

“There is no way I could make it to the top of Croagh Patrick again.

“The most worrying thing for me now, is my MND is moving to my limbs, and I have practically lost all power in my left arm and hand. To be honest, I find it almost impossible to tie my laces or pull up a zip. And there are other things I find hard to do,” he says.

“The real worry for me now — am I going to end up in a wheelchair? The truth is I now have to prepare for every eventuality.”

His health problem has actually been taking a psychological toll, and he typically discovers himself in tears.

“It can happen any place I am, and there is no warning. I was with two female bank officials in the Bank of Ireland in Wicklow town recently, sorting out a problem I had. And the truth is that I cried non-stop for almost half an hour.

“I cry every day at home or when I am out… There is nothing I can do to stop it.”

Charlie Bird, and his wife Claire: "she is living every moment of my illness"
Charlie Bird, and his better half Claire: “she is living every minute of my health problem”

Bird says he is getting terrific assistance from the MND group at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

His better half, Claire, remains in routine contact, and the group is “back on to her straight away” whenever she calls with a concern, he says, including the regional hospice likewise offers outstanding assistance and guidance.

Bird is extremely mindful of the steadfast assistance offered by Clare and its effect on her.

“Claire is living every moment of my illness,” Bird says.

“She is my carer, my chef, and I am totally dependent on her. And to be honest, she has to watch me every day when I am crying. There is no doubt it is taking its toll on her as well. But she is brilliant,” he composes.

“My two daughters are there for me as well, along with my five grandchildren. It is tough on everyone, but nothing can change what I am facing with a terminal illness,” he says.

Keeping his focus

Friends are likewise playing a crucial helpful function. He has 2 Whatsapp groups, both including previous RTÉ coworkers.

The ‘West Awake’ group was developed prior to his medical diagnosis, including coworkers linked to the West of Ireland,

The group consists of retired RTÉ broadcaster, Seán O’Rourke; previous Northern editor, Tommie Gorman; Michael Lally of TG4; previous news editor, Ray Burke; and previous farming reporter, Joe O’Brien.

“We are very close,” Bird says, keeping in mind another crucial member and terrific coworker, previous RTÉ Western editor Jim Fahy who died in 2015.

The 2nd group is called the ‘Kehoe’s Gang’, after the popular pub in Dublin, and likewise consists of coworkers from RTÉ.

Asked how he keeps his spirits up, Bird says there are “good and bad days”.

“And I can’t change that — I just live from one day to another.”

Despite his advancing health problem, he is still so dedicated to assisting others.

“I am about two years into my journey, but what is helping me greatly is extending the hand of friendship for Pieta, the IMNDA, and now Samaritans,” he says.

“I will continue to raise awareness for these three great charities while I still have a breath in my body.”

  • The Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk with Samaritans is being supported by Coillte, which will open Avondale Forest Park and numerous Coillte websites throughout the nation for 5km and 1km strolls. For details on the walk and websites throughout the nation, to sign up, or to make a contribution, see www.charlieswalkoffriendship.com
Charlie Bird: bravery and integrity that will leave a lasting legacy
Charlie Bird: bravery and stability that will leave an enduring tradition

Charlie’s long lasting tradition

The IMNDA established a devoted advancement fund, called after Bird, which is funding a variety of jobs.

“This incredible fund was created after a national consultation process with our MND community,” says spokesperson Derbhla Wynne.

“The overarching objective of the fund is to provide the necessary supports to help those with MND live as independent a life as possible in their own home and within their own community,” she says.

The IMNDA already has an outreach nursing service, with 5 local nurses assisting over 410 individuals and their households who are coping with MND throughout 26 counties.

As an outcome of the ClimbwithCharlie cash it got, amounting to over €1.7m, it is hiring an extra scientific nurse professional.

“This dedicated MND nurse will look after approximately 75 people living within the midlands. Having access to an MND nurse can sometimes be the difference between coping and not coping at all,” Wynne says.

“We are also delighted to contribute funding towards a clinical research project into improved treatments for MND and overseen by Prof Orla Hardiman of Trinity College, Dublin,” she says.

The IMNDA’s Charlie Bird Development Fund will likewise offer:

  • Funding for those coping with MND who want to get a voice banking service;
  • Respite ‘recharge’ grant for a hotel keep away from home for households;
  • Transport grant to allow customers make their MND center visits in convenience;
  • Caregiver reprieve grant.

“None of these projects would have been possible if it weren’t for Charlie Bird and his incredible bravery,” Wynne says.

Pieta says that Bird’s contribution led to a brand-new treatment room in Swords, and its crisis intervention fund “will support thousands of clients through a full treatment of intervention counselling with our therapists”.

Pieta president Stephanie Manahan says that “one year on from the ClimbwithCharlie campaign, the funds raised for Pieta are having a lasting legacy in communities throughout Ireland by playing a vital role in preventing the heartache and devastation that suicide brings.

“On behalf of the Pieta organisation and our supporters, I want to once again express my deep gratitude to Charlie and to his wife Claire for what they achieved in the most challenging of circumstances,” Manahan says.

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