Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk to be staged in Mayo

Volunteers from Galway and Castlebar Samaritans will mark a special Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk next week by walking in solidarity along the Galway Mayo border.

The veteran broadcaster will take part in a forest walk through Avondale Forest Park, Co Wicklow, with Samaritans volunteers and supporters on Sunday, April 16, at Ard na Gaoithe, Cong, starting at 11 a.m.

The Charlie Bird Walk of Friendship walk with Samaritans is being supported by Coillte, which will open several Coillte sites across the country including Ard na Gaoithe, Cong - for 5km and 1km walks.

Members of the public are invited to join volunteers and supporters from Galway and Castlebar on the day at 11 a.m..

Charlie Bird said: “Samaritans is a cause close to my heart, with its volunteers across the country extend the hand of friendship to others 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"That is why I am holding a Hand of Friendship Walk in support of Samaritans this April.

“I ask everyone to keep extending the hand of friendship to others and be there when someone close to you needs support or a helping hand.

"I also want to raise awareness of the work Samaritans do and urge everyone to join us, register or donate on charlieswalkoffriendship.com.”

Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. It is the only charity in Ireland offering emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to anyone who is in distress, lonely, struggling to cope or feeling suicidal, on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.

Coillte will have 5km walking routes mapped out at most sites, as well as shorter and flatter 1km walks which will be suitable for prams and wheelchair users.

There will also be free car parking for those taking part.

For updates follow Samaritans Ireland on Facebook or Twitter and Charlie Bird on Twitter, tagging #CharliesWalkofFriendship.