Funds to be shared between Motor Neurone charity and Pieta House

Former RTÉ journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird made public his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease last October

The Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone are organising a fundraising walk in Killarney National Park on Saturday, April 2 in conjunction with Charlie Bird’s climb of Croagh Patrick on the same day.

Registration will be at the headquarters of Kerry Parents and Friends Association at the Old Monastery on Port Road from 10.30am and the walk will commence at 11.00am.

The organisers insist that the route, at Knockreer, will not be very challenging and it will be suitable for all walkers. Everybody is welcome and they can just turn up on the day.

Former RTÉ journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird made public his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease last October. It was a devastating diagnosis but, soon afterwards, he decided to do something positive to help in the plight of people living with the terrible disease.

Charlie decided to climb Croagh Patrick on April 2 to raise funds and awareness for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and another charity close to Charlie’s heart, Pieta House.

Christy Lehane of the Killarney of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

Since then, over 100 related climbs and walks have been planned to take place throughout the country, including a number in Kerry.

Christy Lehane of the Killarney branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association said people with the debilitating condition have several physical and mental mountains to climb in their everyday lives due to severe illness but Charlie Bird is also climbing his personal mountain for a cause that means so much to him.

The route selected for the walk in the national park at Knockreer is not too difficult

All funds raised will be divided equally between the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House to ensure they can continue their vital work in every community across Ireland.

The IMNDA is the only organisation of its kind in the country dedicated to working on behalf of people living with the disease, their families and carers. Their key services include home visits by its specialist nurses, financial assistance towards home help and the supply of specialised equipment on loan. The organisation also funds and promotes research into the causes and treatment of the condition.

Pieta House first opened its doors in Lucan, Co Dublin in 2006. Since then, it has helped over 60,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self harm. They operate 20 locations across the country and now employ over 200 therapists and support staff, with the demand for their services is increasing.

More details will be available closer to the Killarney walk and, in the meantime, information is available from christylehane2019@gmail.com.

People can also donate to climbwithcharlie.ie.

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