Four climbs in Offaly for Climb with Charlie initiative
Four climbs will take place this Saturday across Offaly in solidarity with Charlie Bird's Climb with Charlie.
The Moneygall Community Climb will take place from 9.30am in aid of two charities chosen by Charlie, the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
Participants will leave the church car park and make the 8km climb via road to the Penal Mass Rock in Gurteen. There will be a shuttle bus provided by Aidan Johnston Coaches to those who decide they don’t wish to walk the return trip to Moneygall.
For more information contact the Moneygall Development Association.
There will be Climb with Charlie event at Derryounce Lakes and Trails Portarlington.
It starts in Portarlington at the Derryounce Lakes and Trails entrance, Bog road, and will consist of a 6km walk on flat surface, 3km out to lakes and 3km back to the starting point.
For additional event details contact Aidan Mullally on 087-6968844
Another climb will take place along the Ridge of Capard starting at The Ridge of Capard carpark.
Start time from 10am. times can be staggered from 10am onwards to avoid traffic jams on the narrow mountain roads to the start point.
Proper footwear is essential as the route can be very wet in parts.
More information will be posted on their Facebook page 'Climb with Charlie - Slieve Bloom walk.'
Contact the event organiser for more information by emailing arderinclimbwithcharlie@gmail.com
Finally, the Croghan Hill climb in Tullamore will start at 11am and is comprised of five loops equalling the height and distance of Croagh Patrick.
Parking and registration will be on the Croghan Hill challenge course access through Scully's lane, R35A327. Registration begins at 10am.
For additional event details contact Peter Moore on 0879875156
Climbs and walks will happen all over Ireland and even around the world in support of Charlie's campaign. On the day he will climb Croagh Patrick and is urging people to do a climb in their local area.
The former RTÉ broadcaster is hoping to raise money for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity close to his heart as Charlie suffers from motor neurone and Ireland's national suicide prevention charity, Pieta House.
He said, “My hope is that people all over Ireland, indeed all over the world will get behind me to show support and solidarity with the thousands of people who climb mountains every day due to their physical and mental health challenges.”
"I am encouraging anyone who wants to get involved in Climb with Charlie to do so in their own area. Due to health and safety restrictions and an ongoing conservation project, we are restricted in the numbers who will climb Croagh Patrick on that day, but it would be amazing if you could walk or climb with me in spirit on April 2nd."