Charlie Bird has thanked the Irish public for helping him "stay alive" as Leo Varadkar presented him with an award for his Climb With Charlie charity work.
The Taoiseach presented Charlie with the Best Non-For-Profit Campaign Award as part of the 2023 World Public Relations and Communications Awards yesterday. The former RTE journalist, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021, was joined by his wife Claire and their dog Tiger for the ceremony at the Taoiseach's office.
Climb With Charlie smashed their original €1 million goal, reaching €3.8 million in donations for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House for Charlie's climb up Croagh Patrick in April 2022. Climb With events were held across the world on that day, with dozens of Irish celebs backing Charlie's effort.
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Charlie posted a photo to his X, formerly Twitter, account, along with a heartfelt thank you to the people of Ireland. He said: "Thanks Taoiseach for presenting the award for Climb With Charlie.
"It is for everyone across the country and abroad who supported Climb With Charlie. Again I want to extend the hand of friendship to everyone.
"I love you all, and you are helping me to stay alive." Mr Varadkar also posted to Instagram, saying: “Congratulations to Charlie Bird, his wife, Claire, dog Tiger, and the whole team behind the hugely successful Climb with Charlie campaign, on winning Best Non-For-Profit Campaign at the World Public Relations and Communication Awards 2023.
"Charlie was given so much to this nation as a trusted journalist and continues to do so, raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and raising money for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House."
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