Hundreds of people Charlie Bird in Wicklow today as he led a special Hand of Friendship Walk for Samaritans.
Charlie, his wife Claire and their dog Tiger joined volunteers and supporters in Avondale Forest Park, Rathdrum for a sunny Sunday morning. The veteran broadcaster, who is battling Motor Neurone Disease (MND), vowed to continue his work raising awareness of the charity's work and extending his hand as friendship as long as he is "mobile and alive".
Speaking at the event, Charlie's wife Claire paid tribute to him and called him an inspiration to her and others after going through a “dreadful time” following his diagnoses with MND.
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“Instead of Charlie shutting down shop, not leaving the house, he decided he was going to do something good with the horrors of having MND,” she said, referencing the €3.6m he raised during Climb with Charlie last year.
"He decided after that, he wanted to continue working for a charity and he chose Samaritans - and they're an amazing charity.
"He's an absolute inspiration, not just to you, but to me as his wife. His courage, his resilience, he's unbelievable and we want to continue working for charities. So today, this is an amazing day to be here for Samaritans.”
The Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk with Samaritans was supported by Coillte, which opened forest routes around the country for the event.
While Charlie led the 5km walk in Wicklow, Samaritans volunteers walked simultaneously in Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon; Curraghbinny Woods, Cork; and at Ard na Gaoithe, on the Galway/Mayo border, with members of the public. There was a commemorative tree planted at each site before the walk.
Charlie told supporters in Wicklow that after the success of Climb with Charlie last year, he wanted to support another charity while he's alive and mobile.
"During my working career I knew of six people who died by suicide, and I just wanted to raise awareness of the incredible work they [Samaritans] do,” he said.
“Samaritans' volunteers are there to help people in dark places, 24 [hours] a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They are there at the end of their freephone line with what I call is their friendly non-judgmental ear.
“The truth is none of us know what might be around the corner of our lives.”
Anne Vaughan, volunteer Branch Director with Dublin Samaritans, thanked Charlie, Claire and their dog Tiger for the event. “Last year, Charlie extended the Hand of Friendship to us in Dublin and said from the beginning that he wished to do so for all Samaritans and today is that day," she said.
“To reach out and give your own precious time to others and raise awareness of Samaritans is a wonderful gift to all of us and we are very grateful. We will always remember with great warmth your hand of friendship, Charlie.”
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