All over Ireland this weekend, people donned their walking boots and ‘Climbed with Charlie’, as part of a nationwide fundraiser organised by former RTE news reporter Charlie Bird.
Charlie was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and led a massive fundraising campaign for Irish Motor Neurone Disease and Pieta House.
While the man himself climbed Croagh Patrick, the idea spread across the country with various community groups organising similar, small events in their locality.
And one such group was the Stradbally-Vicarstown-Timahoe (SVT) Activity and Wellness Hub, who tackled Dysart Woods on Saturday morning.
Located between Stradbally and Portlaoise, just off the N80, and across the road from the Rock of Dunamase, it boasts beautiful walking routes, stunning views – and a couple of particularly gruelling hills!
Despite the early start, a nice crowd gathered for the walk which started in Dysart and progressed along the pathway and veered up to Carrigmeal and up the hill to the Slieve Bloom viewing point, under a soft refreshing mist.
A fantastic morning enjoyed by all.
Over €500 has been donated so far and the the link below will remain open for another few days for donations.
The organisers have thanked everyone for their generosity so far and Majella Fennelly and Ann Simpson for leading the walk.
You can donate to the fundraiser here and you can check out a selection of images below.
Other Laois walks also took place in Timahoe, the Ridge of Capard, Glenbarrow and in Derryounce Lakes in Portarlington.
In all there were almost 240 walks across the country – and over €1.75 million has already been raised with donations still coming in.
SEE ALSO – #LoveLaois: Dysart Woods – hilly, scenic and adjacent to Laois’s most famous landmark
