Charlie shines bright

Ex-newsman joins thousands at home & abroad for sunrise walk

- SHANE POWER

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 2022: 5KM DAWN EVENT

AN emotional Charlie Bird led the Bray walk for Darkness into Light at sunrise yesterday as he urged others to “live life to the full”.

The former RTE newscaster, who has motor neurone disease, was joined by thousands for the Wicklow fundraiser in aid of Pieta House.

Charlie, who recently climbed Croagh Patrick helping raise almost €3million for the organisation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, addressed the crowd using a speech device.

In his speech, posted on Twitter, he said in the LGBTQ community he knew of one family who lost two loved ones to suicide with one bullied by homophobes.

He said: “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.

"Over my lifetime I have known a number of people who have died by suicide" - CHARLIE BIRD AT BRAY’S DARKNESS INTO LIGHT YESTERDAY

“And while I have my own struggles I am going to continue to extend the hand of friendship and support the work of Pieta.”

He revealed one of the candles he lit in the church at the top of Croagh Patrick was for those affected by struggles of any kind.