Climb with Charlie

FORMER RTÉ correspondent Charlie Bird will climb Croagh Patrick in April for everyone in the country with a terminal illness, and he is being supported on his quest by kids from Monastery Preschool in Clondalkin.

The Clondalkin youngsters are doing steps every day in school and at home to make up the distance it takes to climb Ireland’s most sacred mountain in Mayo (2,500 ft).

‘Climb With Charlie’ is the brainchild of Mr Bird following a candid interview in December on the Late Late Show where he laid bare his battle with motor neurone disease – a severely life-shortening condition for most people.

Lisa Kennedy, owner of the Monastery Preschool in Clondalkin, said they had done some hillwalking over Christmas and shared some of their chats online with Mr Bird.

“We sent Charlie videos and he loved the work we are doing, we had nice communication,” said Lisa.

“We are doing the steps every day as part of Climb With Charlie. It will take us until April.”

On Monday, Mr Bird visited the pre-school to thank the kids for their support.

Mr Bird is doing the walk in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.

In his December appearance on the Late Late Show, Mr Bird said he would soon lose his speech but voice bank technology and thousands of hours of RTÉ footage, will allow his family to hear his voice when the 72-year-old loses the ability to speak.