Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presented broadcaster Charlie Bird with the World Public Relations and Communications Award for the 'Climb with Charlie' campaign on Wednesday.
Following on from the hugely successful “Climb with Charlie” campaign, the fundraising event went on to win ‘Best Not-For-Profit Award’ at this year’s Global Awards.
Friend of Charlie’s, Paul Allen of Paul Allen and Associates, submitted the entry. The PR firm was the lead organiser and communications team behind the initiative.
The initial fundraising goal was €1 million. However, the campaign raised over €3.6 million for two charities.
Charlie 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.
Mr Varadkar,speaking on the award, 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.”
Professor Justin Green, president and CEO of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, representing over 360,000 public relations practitioners and academics across 126 countries worldwide, was also in attendance.
Prof Green, who hosted the awards, 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 asked Paul to be the lead organiser of the campaign.
Commenting on the win, Paul Allen said “The team and I are extremely humbled to be a part of this campaign. After 30 years in business, what better way was to volunteer our time and professional services. Charlie’s passion ignited a nation and this award signifies just that”.
The Dublin public relations firm was the only Irish firm to be shortlisted and win in the annual global Public Relations and Communication awards which featured major firms and agencies from over 126 countries including the UK, USA, and Europe.
