Climb With Charlie

On Saturday April 2nd, Charlie Bird will climb Croagh Patrick in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.

Due to Charlie’s Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, the climb will be an immense challenge but he is determined to do it to highlight the vast mountains so many people have to climb in their everyday lives due to severe illness, physical and mental.

The campaign is encouraging everyone to ‘Climb With Charlie’, meaning not just climbing physical mountains, but getting through all the serious challenges in their lives.

While Charlie and his close friends and family embark on their climb on the weekend of April 2^nd, the campaign encourages everyone all over Ireland and indeed all over the world get behind his efforts and arrange their own climb in their local area, with all monies raised going to two really worthy charities.

People can donate to the campaign or find out more on www.climbwithcharlie.ie All funds raised will go to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.

Due to COVID restrictions, health & safety, and ongoing environmental works on Croagh Patrick, the campaign cannot facilitate large numbers of people on Croagh Patrick on April 2nd. Therefore, Charlie is encouraging people to climb in their local area, and to keep on climbing the mountains of their personal battles.

Additional:

Charlie Bird pictured along Bray Promenade. Pic Steve Humphreys 1st December 2017

Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA)

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.

MND strikes people of all ages and there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) is the only organisation of its kind in this country. It was set up in May 1985 to provide care and support to people with Motor Neurone Disease, their carers, families and friends.

There are currently over 400 people living with MND in Ireland. MND is often referred to as the 1,000 day disease as most people die within 1,000 days of being diagnosed.

Our key services include:

• Home visiting by our Four MND Nurse Specialists
• Financial assistance towards home care
• Providing specialist medical equipment free of charge to our clients

• Assistance towards counselling
• Supporting research into the causes and treatments of MND
• Freefone Information support line for clients and families

The Association relies heavily on fundraising activities from our members and supporters. We need to raise over 80% of our overall income.  It costs approx. 2.4 million to run the Association each year.