A real hero, and a real human being.
Charlie Bird conquered Croagh Patrick at the weekend, along with the hearts of the watching nation.
Having delivered on his promise to scale the mountain as part of the ‘Climb With Charlie’ event, the former RTÉ broadcaster celebrated his achievement with family, friends and members of the public who got involved.
Bird was quick to thank the public for the support he received, saying that he was “blown away” by the reaction.
Over €2 million has been raised for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 on Monday, Bird’s wife Claire Mould praised her husband for his efforts, noting that he was very much leading the charge and outpacing those around him.
“He didn’t struggle as his mobility is perfect,” said Mould.
“He’s fit as a fiddle.”
Mould thanked locals for being so friendly to the pair, saying that Bird was regularly stopped for photographs and generally wished well by anyone he encountered in Westport.
“For the last nine weeks he has promoted this campaign to get people to promote such a great cause,” said Mould.
“I don’t know what it is about Charlie, people just wanted to be there for him. If you were there on Croagh Patrick, the amount of people who just cheered him along to get him to the top.
“He was crying but there was just tears of joy from the support of people,” she said.
Mould and Bird both paid their respects to Cora O’Grady, who passed away during a Climb With Charlie event in the Galtee Mountains.
O’Grady, who was aged in her early 50s, became unwell at approximately 1pm as she reached the summit of the Galtymore Climb.
She subsequently passed away on the summit.
Gardaí in Cahir were notified of the situation, and assisted Mountain Rescue and Coast Guard Rescue in removing O’Grady’s body from the Galtee Mountains.
“I want to offer my condolences this morning to the family and friends of Cora O’Grady from Mitchelstown in county Cork,” said Bird.
“Cora, who was climbing in the Galtee Mountains, took ill and passed away.
“Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.”
I want to offer my condolences this morning to the family and friends of Cora O Grady from Mitchelstown in County Cork.
Cora who was climbing in the Galty mountains took ill and passed away. Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.— Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) April 4, 2022
Featured Image via Michael Mc Laughlin / RollingNews.ie
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