Ryan Tubridy has said he is "ready to go" alongside Charlie Bird as the massive Climb with Charlie event draws near.
The host of the Late Late Show on RTE and a whole host of others will join the ex-reporter as he climbs Croagh Patrick on April 2 to raise vital funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
Charlie, who has been open about his Motor Neurone's diagnosis since he received it, revealed over the weekend that his voice is almost gone - but that he had been left hopeful thanks to some new technology.
And on Monday's edition of his radio show on RTE Radio One, Ryan explained how he had been touched by a gift left for him and Charlie by a member of the public.
He told his listeners: "I walked into the television reception are in RTE on Friday for the Late Late and one of my colleagues emerged with these two long sticks, about five feet long. They were beautifully varnished, with a man's bearded face carved into it and a shamrock at the top and a bit of rope.
"What they were, were two beautiful hand-carved walking sticks. One was quite tall, one was a tiny bit smaller. One was for me and one was for Charlie Bird to help us on Croagh Patrick. A man had dropped them in. He didn't want any fuss, he wrote a lovely note with it. If you know anyone called Barry who is a wood-carver, will you tell him it was a lovely gesture.
"The Gandalf jokes were of course cracked at the time, but I see Charlie's out and about at the moment as his voice is almost gone. He's got this extraordinary voice technology that will help him communicate.
"We're ready and waiting to climb with Charlie, I'll climb a few hills for practice over the next few weeks with some decent hiking gear, and I'll be ready to go for April 2."
