On Thursday, March 31, Charlie Bird and his wife Claire along with their dog, Tiger, visited Brackloon NS to participate in the daily mile with the children who were training to climb Croagh Patrick for Saturday's Climb with Charlie challenge.
Afterwards the children presented Charlie with cards from each class to show their love and support for him in his big challenge. Charlie presented the school with two signed photos from his expedition to the South Pole, a documentary he made with his great friend John Murray, a parent from Brackloon NS. John's son Rian is in senior infants at Brackloon NS and climbed with Charlie and his family on Saturday.
The children learned about Motor Neurone Disease during the week as a pupil in Brackloon NS, Matthew O'Raghallaigh gave a presentation to each class to raise awareness of the disease amongst the school community.
The school also set up a fundraising page on iDonate to raise funds for Charlie's nominated charities - https://www.idonate.ie/event/3509_climb-with-charlie-in-association-with-brackloon-nation-school.html.
On Saturday a 60-plus delegation of pupils and parents set out on the ancient Tóchar Phádraig pilgrim path from Taobhnacroagha to the first station to welcome Charlie and to give him a boost as he faced into the last section of his ascent to the summit.
Charlie was very happy and emotional to see the children and stopped to say hello. He was strong on the climb and arrived on the summit just before 12.30pm to be greeted by Ryan Tubridy, Daniel O'Donnell, the Clew Bay Pipe Band and the thousands of supporters who had gathered on top to meet him.
It was a great day of mixed emotions for everyone gathered but for one sure thing, Charlie shone a light of hope in everyone's heart on Saturday. The Brackloon NS Climb with Charlie iDonate page remains open until today Friday, April 8, if anyone would like to support the Brackloon NS Climb with Charlie team. All monies raised will go to Charlie's two nominated charities - Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
