Charlie Bird has won an international award for his fundraiser, Climb with Charlie, which took place last year.
The former RTÉ chief news correspondent raised over €3.6m following his Croagh Patrick climb which he said was one of the “most remarkable” days in his life.
Today, the major fundraiser won an award at the Global Alliance’s World Public Relations and Communication Awards.
It was the only entry to be shortlisted for the awards which features major firms and agencies from over 100 countries.
President Michael D Higgins was among those to congratulate Bird on the win.
President Higgins posted a photo of himself with Bird and their dogs at Áras an Uachtaráin along with the message: “Congratulations to Charlie Bird and all involved with the Climb with Charlie campaign following its award of Best Non-For-Profit Campaign at the World Public Relations and Communiation Awards 2023.”
Bird set up the campaign after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, the money raised went to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental health charity Pieta.
Thousands of people joined the campaign with over 150 climbs taking place in locations around the country with corresponding walks also taking place in the US, Canada, England, Australia and Dubai.
Climb with Charlie was submitted to the awards by Bird’s friend Paul Allen of the PR firm, Paul Allen and Associates, which was the lead communications team behind the initiative.
Allen said the team are over the moon for Bird saying how the campaign had started as a simple idea and went on to raise millions for two great charities.
A friend of Bird’s, Allen said: “We decided to give something back, volunteer our time, put our shoulder to the wheel and donate eight months of professional services to manage Climb With Charlie.”
Since his diagnosis, Bird has spent a great deal of time raising awareness about MND and raising money for various charities.
He has also encouraged others to give back and “extend the hand of friendship” to one another.
Bird turned 74 earlier this month and posted a message ahead of his birthday saying “in a way a miracle has happened to me”.
“I can’t really believe it. Around this time last year I said I didn’t think I would see another birthday,” he said in the video featuring his beloved pup, Tiger, sitting on his knee.
“But the love from Claire, my daughters, all my RTÉ colleagues and the love and kindness that has been shown to be by people right across this country has helped to keep me alive.
“It has been amazing. There are no words to describe it. Yes, in the last while, my Motor Neurone Disease has seriously deteriorated.
“But every day I live, I want to keep raising awareness and extending the hand of friendship to people in dark places. These are not glib words. I really do love everyone.
“And, of course, I cannot forget Tiger. It is a miracle the way he looks after me.”
In recent weeks, he led the campaign for Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice which took place today.
Last month, Bird revealed that he is receiving hospice care at his Wicklow home saying that “every day is a struggle for me now”.
“I want to make one thing very clear: when my time comes, I want to pass away at home surrounded by my family – and the hospice care team say they will look after me there,” he said.
Addressing people who had been recently diagnosed with MND, he said people should live each day at a time and “fight as hard as you can”.
Encouraging people to support the important work of hospices, he said: “None of us knows in this life when we might need hospice care.
“So please, extend the hand of friendship and support the hospice wherever they are in the country.”
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