Tens of thousands of people are set to climb their local mountains today to support Charlie Bird’s Croagh Patrick climb.
The former RTE reporter plans to scale the peak in a fundraising effort for Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House. He smashed the €1 million goal before the climb began.
The brave 72-year-old, who has been diagnosed with the condition, began the ascent at 9.30am and hopes to reach the summit around 1pm.
He had planned the climb since first revealing his diagnosis back in October – and has said he will light several candles on top of the Co Mayo mountain before making his descent.
As many as 212 different climbs with 1,333 various fundraisers across the country will take place as thousands take part in the nationwide challenge.
Charlie will climb with his friends and family including RTE star Ryan Tubridy, presenter Baz Ashmawy and Donegal crooner Daniel O’Donnell.
He appeared on the Late Late Show on RTE last night, speaking to Tubs from Westport in Mayo via video link and delivered a special message to the Irish people using voice technology.
Using cutting-edge technology, Charlie was able to type his message into an app, which then broadcast the words in Charlie's own voice and accent using voice clips from the RTE archive.
He said: "We are all gathered here in Westport for what I believe will be an amazing day not just on Croagh Patrick but in over 200 places around Ireland and in many parts of the world.
"This I hope is going to turn into a national day of celebration. And who am I blaming for this? Yes, you Ryan.
"Ryan, you asked me before Christmas what were my wishes and I said off the top of my head I wanted to climb Croagh Patrick with some of my RTE colleagues.
"What has happened over the past three months has blown me away.
"We have already raised €1 million for Pieta House and the Motor Neurone Disease Association, these two charities close to my heart."
Speaking about the intentions for lighting candles on the top, he said: "When I reach the top of Croagh Patrick I am going to light five candles. The first is for one amazing human being, my new pal Vicky Phelan.
"The second one is for everyone who has a terminal illness. The third one is for everyone who is in a dark place and has their own mountains to climb every day.
"The forth is for everyone who helped out in the great battle against the pandemic. And the last one is for the people of Ukraine who are going through a living hell at the moment.
"And lastly while I am still able I am going to extend the hand of friendship to everyone. I am being uplifted by what is happening right now with Climb With Charlie. And any tears I have are tears of joy."
- The climb will be streamed live on eventfm.ie/climb-with-charlie/ for those who cannot take part.
READ MORE: Charlie Bird fundraiser smashes goal of raising €1 million ahead of Croagh Patrick climb
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