"I cried so much yesterday, but they were all tears of joy."
Yesterday saw a huge number of people across the country take part in various climbs to support
Charlie Bird's summit of Croagh Patrick.
Bird climbed the Mayo mountain to
raise funds for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. The broadcaster announced his plans to scale the mountain after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with MND last year.
On Friday, the fundraiser passed the €1 million mark, but, according to Charlie, it looks like that figure could double.
This morning, Charlie has shared that he is "blown away" by the support he has received as he thanked everyone for taking part.
https://twitter.com/charliebird49/status/1510543733586116610
He wrote: "Wow I am completely blown away by the amazing support for climb with Charlie all over the country and abroad.
"I cried so much yesterday, but they were all tears of joy. A big loving hug to everyone. Thanks everyone."
https://twitter.com/climb_charlie/status/1510336576806608900
In a subsequent tweet, Charlie wrote: "I have so many people to thank but I just want to send a message to my
RTÉ colleagues. You have me proud. Jim Fahy and Colm Murray,I am sure we’re smiling down on all of us yesterday. I love you all."
Yesterday, Charlie shared a photo of himself on top of the mountain with his followers and described it as a "fantastic moment".
https://twitter.com/padraig_reilly/status/1510279825449275396
A number of Irish stars joined Charlie for yesterday's climb, and they included singer Daniel O'Donnell and the Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy. Emotional footage shows the three embracing as a bagpipe band covers On Raglan Road.
In a video shared on Twitter, Tubridy stood proudly behind the Irish and Ukrainian flags on top of Croagh Patrick and said: "We're thinking of our friends in Ukraine, we're thinking of the great Irish people who made this happen, and of course, Charlie Bird and Vicky Phelan. This is what it's all about."
Feature image: Michael Mc Laughlin/RollingNews.ie
