Volunteers from Athlone Midland Samaritans will mark a special Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk next month by participating in solidarity in Lough Key Forest Park, Co Roscommon.
Members of the public are invited to join volunteers from Athlone and Sligo on Sunday, April 16, at 11am. Car parking will be free on the day.
The veteran broadcaster will take part in a forest walk through Avondale Forest Park, Co Wicklow, with Samaritans volunteers and supporters on Sunday, April 16 at 11am. The Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk with Samaritans is being supported by Coillte, which will open several Coillte sites across the country, including Lough Key Forest Park. Coillte will have 5km walking routes mapped out, as well as shorter and flatter 1km walks which will be suitable for prams and wheelchair users.
“Samaritans is a cause close to my heart, with its volunteers across the country extend the hand of friendship to others 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That is why I am holding a Hand of Friendship Walk in support of Samaritans this April.
“I am urging everyone to come out and support me at Avondale or at one of the many Coillte parks being made available on the day and spread the message that one of the most powerful things we can do is extend the hand of friendship to others.
“I want to ask everyone to keep extending the hand of friendship to others and be there when someone close to you needs support or a helping hand. I also want to raise awareness of the work Samaritans do and urge everyone to join us, register or donate on charlieswalkoffriendship.com,” Charlie Bird stated.
Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. It is the only charity in Ireland offering emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to anyone who is in distress, lonely, struggling to cope or feeling suicidal, on freephone 116 123 or email us at [email protected].
“Athlone Midland Samaritans are also calling on everyone to support Charlie’s walk on April 16 by joining us in Lough Key Forest Park at 11am, or making a donation at www.charlieswalkoffriendship.com, or by considering volunteering with Athlone Midland Samaritans,” Ms Deirdre Collins, Athlone Midland Samaritans said.
