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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Charlie Bird
Charlie Bird, journalist and motor neurone disease (MND) advocate, has announced he will be leading a charity walk for volunteers this April.
Charlie announced the news on X, formerly Twitter, that he will be leading the Hand of Friendship Walk for Samaritan volunteers in Co Wicklow this April 21 at midday.
“I am so excited to be asked to lead the Samaritans walk in April in Avondale,” Charlie said. “Samaritans is a great organisation and its branches and volunteers deserve our support for extending the hand of friendship.”
Last April, more than 500 people joined Charlie as he led his first Hand of Friendship Walk for Samaritans in Avondale Forest Park.
Samaritans operates a 24-hour freephone helpline on 116 123, offering a listening ear to anyone who is struggling to cope.
Charlie has said he gave his support to the charity after he found himself in a dark place when he was diagnosed with MND.
Sarah O’Toole, Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland, paid tribute to Charlie for all the support he has given to the organisation over the last 18 months.
“Charlie is an inspiration to so many people and his determination to continue to support us and others is incredible,” she said.
As well as this latest announcement, Charlie will also be climbing Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo, on April 2 for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurones Association.
I want to extend the hand of friendship to all carers across the country. I now have first hand experience of the valuable work they do.
— Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) February 29, 2024
I am still hanging in. And in April I will be leading a walk in Wicklow for all Samaritan volunteers. Details to follow
The 74-year-old is now wheelchair bound, as he shared on February 11, 2024: "My health has changed completely. I now have to be hoisted in and out of bed."
The former chief RTÉ News correspondent was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021 and now hosts many charity events and fundraisers in aid of numerous charitable organisations.
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