Charlie Bird is leading the Darkness into Light Walk in Wicklow this year

Charlie Bird is expected to lead the Darkness into Light Walk in Wicklow this year.

The former RTÉ broadcaster, 72, will reportedly lead the fundraiser, returning to Bray for an in-person event on the morning of May 7.

The Bray event is being organized by the Bray Lions Club this year, who said Mr Bird is expected to lead the walk around town.

Darkness into Light is organized by the Pieta charity, which provides life-saving support services to people in suicidal situations and those left behind by suicide.

It will return with organized walks in over 17 countries across five continents, beginning in the dark at sunrise and continuing until dawn to symbolize the journey from despair to hope.

The latest figures show that the 24/7 Pieta Helpline received almost 100,000 calls and texts in 2021 alone – almost 2,000 emergency calls and texts per week.

In response, Pieta provides over 4,000 hours of suicide and self-harm crisis therapy each month. Every day seven more teenagers come to Pieta for individual care.

Last month Mr Bird climbed Croagh Patrick for his Climb with Charlie event to raise money for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease.

The event saw hundreds of people take part in rock climbing and hiking trips across the country.

Mr. Bird came up with the idea of ​​climbing Croagh Patrick The Late Late Show last year.

At the time, he admitted he didn’t know how long he had to live but said he would continue to extend the hand of friendship.

“People were so generous at Climb With Charlie. I have been touched by incredible kindness. There were amazing volunteers who helped,” he said.

A number of well-known faces from the world of sport, music and entertainment have joined forces to open this year’s Darkness into Light event, including broadcaster Grainne Seoige, musician Tolu Makay and former Dublin GAA player Philly McMahon.