Some €700,000 has already been raised through Charlie Bird’s ‘Climb with Charlie’ initiative taking place on Saturday.
There will be at least 155 separate fundraising climbs across the country to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
The former RTÉ news correspondent, who was diagnosed with MND last year, and his group of family, friends and followers are in the final days of training ahead of their own fundraising climb this weekend on Croagh Patrick.
Apart from Charlie’s climb on Croagh Patrick many thousands of volunteers are criss-crossing the island of Ireland, the US, South Africa, Australia and Spain, arranging walks and runs across mountains, parkland and town squares.
Following Charlie’s terminal diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease he decided to set up Climb with Charlie to raise funds for the two charities very close to his heart, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
The campaign has captured the public’s attention with the view to showing support for any person who has to climb their own physical and mental mountains in their daily lives.
Commenting on this broadcaster Charlie Bird said “I am overwhelmed at how successful this campaign has been. It was initially supposed to be me, friends and family climbing Croagh Patrick.
"Since then, I have been blown away by the amazing generosity, support and kindness of people in Ireland and around the world.”
Charlie went on to say: “I am truly humbled and inspired that so many thousands of people are taking part in Climb with Charlie events across the world.
"With the big day fast approaching I would urge everyone to donate what they can to support the amazing work the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta do on a daily basis.
"Donations can be made and you can find details of local fundraising climbs on our campaign page www.climbwithcharlie.ie.
“If you can’t physically take part in a climb or walk, even lighting a candle to show support would mean so much.’’
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