CHARLIE BIRD JOINS 120,000 IN DARKNESS INTO LIGHT WALKS
FORMER RTÉ broadcaster Charlie Bird led thousands of people yesterday in the first Darkness into Light charity walk in three years to raise funds for suicide charity Pieta House.
Up to 120,000 people took part in walks around the country and the retired 72-year-old reporter went on a pre-dawn 5km stroll along the seafront in his hometown of Bray, Co. Wicklow.
He was joined by his wife Claire and the couple’s dog Tiger, as well as more than 2,000 other walkers who were eager to raise funds for Pieta House.
Before the walk Charlie – who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in October last year – said, ‘During my own recent “Climb with Charlie” event, one of the candles I lit in the church at the top of Croagh Patrick was for everyone who has struggles every day – those who are in dark places and have their own mountains to climb.
‘You never know when you might be sitting or standing beside someone who is in a dark place.
‘Over my own lifetime I have known a number of people who have died by suicide and I have learned first-hand the importance of the work done by Pieta.’
He added: ‘The Darkness into Light walk is a powerful show of support for everyone who is in a dark place and I applaud the work of Pieta House.’
According to Pieta House there has been a 20% increase in demand for its support services in the past three months.
The charity’s chief financial officer Denise Cronin said: ‘Our clinicians have told us that at the start of the pandemic people were more concerned with their physical health and the economic impact of Covid. It is only afterwards that they talk about the impact it has had on their mental health.’
■ The Pieta House helpline is 1800 247 247.