A major community walking event is being planned for County Galway to coincide with Charlie Bird's climbing of Croagh Patrick on Saturday April 2.
The Sliabh Aughty Climb With Charlie will take place in Woodford at 12 noon on the same day and organisers are encouraging people to come to the mountains, walk in solidarity with Charlie, and fundraise for his chosen charities - the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
The event will be headquartered at the Tommy Larkin's GAA Club grounds in Woodford and will feature two distances, a 5km walk and a 9km walk. Walking will take place on a combination of public roads and Coillte forestry roads, and will feature some gentle ascents, within the capacity of all walkers.
One of the event organisers, Loughrea’s Karla Quinn, said that many people will be walking in memory of their loved ones who died from Motor Neurone disease.
"Our family lost our mother to this disease, and when I saw Charlie Bird facing up to the same incredibly tough challenge with such dignity, it made absolute sense to me to organise an event in solidarity with him,” she said.
“Since Charlie appeared on The Late Late Show I have been contacted by so many other Galwegians who have also lost loved ones to MND and it made sense for us to organise our own local event. We have been welcomed with open arms by Tommy Larkin's GAA Club. We will be using their superb facilities as our event headquarters and members of the club will also help with marshalling. We're deeply grateful to Tommy Larkin's for their help in planning for a fantastic community event.”
Hurlers show their support
Pat Hickey, chair of Tommy Larkin's GAA Club says that he and his colleagues were delighted to be asked to host the Sliabh Aughty Climb With Charlie.
"This is a very special event where everyone is asked to walk in solidarity with all those who are suffering from motor neurone disease and to fundraise for two very worthy charities,” he said. “Here in Woodford we are very proud of our local landscape, it's really unique, and we're always working to showcase it in the best possible light. Our club members and supporters have worked hard to develop our new sports and community facilities and we're delighted to make them available for the event.”
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Mapping the routes for the Sliabh Aughty Climb With Charlie are (LtoR ) Jamie Flanagan, secretary Tommy Larkins GAA Club; Pat Hickey, chair of Tommy Larkins GAA Club; Karla Quinn; Climb With Charlie; Dep Ciaran Cannon, Climb With Charlie; and Pat Lyons, Tommy Larkins GAA Club.
Just this week, the Galway County Minor hurling team offered their support, with all members of the panel, and their families, planning to be in Woodford on April 2. Team manager Fergal Healy says it is a powerful way for young hurlers to become involved in a major community endeavour that seeks to bring the whole of County Galway together in supporting Charlie Bird and his chosen charities.
"We want all of our panel, and their families, to be part of something that strengthens our deep sense of community and gives us an opportunity to help two charities that do great work,” he said. “Our supporters travel with us to games across the country, they're always there for us, always encouraging us, and this is our chance to give something back to them. We're really looking forward to the event.”
Seeking support
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Local TD Ciaran Cannon is also an organiser of the Climb With Charlie event. While he has thanked business owners who have already sponsored the event, he is asking others to come on board. "It's early days yet, but over the last month a number of local businesses have been exceptionally generous in sponsoring our event,” he said. “We're hoping that many more will come on board over the next month.”
Those interested in supporting the event should get in touch via the Sliabh Aughty Climb With Charlie Facebook page, or by calling Dep Cannon’s office on 087 - 2529680.
Message from Charlie
Charlie Bird has sent his best wishes to all participants in the Sliabh Aughty event and says that he is deeply grateful to everyone who is planning an event on April 2:
"I'm completely overwhelmed by the extent of the support I'm receiving, and I'm deeply grateful to each and every person who will walk with me in every corner of Ireland on the day. Every euro we get, and I mean every euro will go to Pieta, Ireland's national suicide prevention charity, and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, the only organisation of its kind providing care and support to people with this terminal illness, and to their families, friends and caregivers. I wish everyone taking part in the Sliabh Aughty event every success. You will all be in my heart and in my thoughts on the day.”
