Charlie Bird will be conferred with the Freedom of County Wicklow next week.
A special ceremony will take place to mark the huge honour for the well known retired RTE broadcaster, who is a resident of the county, on Monday.
Elected Members of Wicklow County Council made the decision to confer the honour on the well known presenter in recognition of his work in the field of broadcasting and more recently in his campaigning for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
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The veteran RTE broadcaster was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in October 2021 and has been working tirelessly ever since to raise funds and awareness for the illness through his campaign, Climb with Charlie.
The campaign saw Bird and thousands from around the country climb Croagh Patrick on April 2nd this year.
So far, it has raised over €3 million for his chosen charities - Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
Charlie also released a new book titled ‘Climb With Charlie’ to commemorate in words and images the moving day in which he was joined by thousands on his climb.
The book, features images from that unforgettable day in April, both from Croagh Patrick and the other climbs and walks that took part across the country.
It also features words by Cervical Check campaigner Vicky Phelan as well as Daniel O’Donnell, Ryan Tubridy and Dermot Bannon.
All royalties for the book will also go to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
Speaking of the huge accomplishment, Bird told Irish Daily Mirror: “In my wildest dreams I never believed I would get anything near that amount of money,” he said.
“This is not all about me. Hopefully when I pass people will at least say some nice things about me.”
“My legacy will be decided by the two charities who are benefiting from Climb with Charlie and by other people when I am gone.”
The ceremony to confer Bird with the Freedom of Co Wicklow will be held on Monday, September 26th at the County Buildings.
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