Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents award to broadcaster Charlie Bird for raising €3.6m
‘Climb with Charlie’ event has been recognised by the global PR awards
Former RTÉ broadcaster Charlie Bird and his agent Paul Allen have been presented with the World Public Relations and Communications Award by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
During a visit to Government Buildings on Wednesday, Varadkar paid tribute to Bird who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
The award was presented in recognition for the successful “Climb with Charlie” campaign, which won ‘Best Not-For-Profit Award’ at this year’s Global Awards. Allen’s PR company was the lead organiser and communications team behind the initiative.
Varadkar said: “Charlie has touched the lives of so many people in Ireland who followed his trusted news coverage over the years. He has given so much to this nation and continues to do so, raising awareness of Motor Neuron Disease and money for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental health charity Pieta.”
“Congratulations to Charlie, his wife Claire, their dog Tiger and the whole team behind the hugely successful ‘Climb with Charlie’ campaign on this well-deserved international award,” he said.
The initial fundraising goal was €1 million, however, the campaign raised over €3.6 million for two great charities. Bird came up with the idea of “Climb with Charlie” following his own diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease to “help and show support to anyone suffering a terminal illness and anyone in a dark place with their mental health”.
Prof. Justin Green, President and CEO of Global Alliance for Public Relations said “The Best-Not-For-Profit category was particularly tough. To be the only Irish PR entry to have been shortlisted and to go on to win is an amazing world achievement for the Irish PR profession. The ‘Climb with Charlie’ campaign is one that is held very close to the people of Ireland. Charlie’s enigmatic reporting style won the hearts of the Irish people over the years. This campaign has justifiably now won global recognition and cemented Ireland in the history of world Public Relations”.
Following their long friendship from the RTÉ newsroom, Charlie had asked Paul to be the lead organiser of the campaign.
Commenting on the win, Paul Allen said “Charlie’s passion ignited a nation and this award signifies just that”.
