'Shine a Light', new charity single for broadcaster Charlie Bird

Singer Michael English, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and a choir of friends and colleagues joined forces to record a new charity single 'Shine a Light' for retired RTÉ corespondent Charlie Bird. All proceeds from Shine a Light are being donated to Irish Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and Pieta House.

Bird is currently battling MND and has launched a nationwide campaign that sees himself – along with a host of friends, family and household names – climb Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo on April 2.

Over 100 other synchronous climbs are set to take place around the country, aiming to bring awareness to the massive physical and mental toll those diagnosed with the disease face in their daily lives.

Galway native Sara Noone penned the lyrics for the charity single after watching her mother, Maureen, battle the degenerative disease first-hand. Additionally, after watching Bird's appearance on the Late Late Show in January, Noone said his "openness and honesty" were a driving force behind her involvement.

Of the single Bird said: "What an amazing song - it really captures the positive energy and reaching out the hand of friendship that this campaign is all about."

"Thank you to everyone who was part of it and all my friends and colleagues and particularly to Michael and Sara for making it happen."

"I want to encourage everyone to log on to www.climbwithcharlie.ie and donate what they can, buy the song and set up their own fundraisers to climb in their local area, be it climbing a set of stairs or a short walk around the house, around a local park, a walk to the beach. Whatever you are able to do."

The charity single will be released this friday, March 11 and can be pre-saved now.

Earlier this year, U2 front-man Bono released another track dedicated to the campaign, 'Crazy Mountain'. The single received its first play on the Late Late show while Bird was a featured guest. The proceeds from this single go towards the same charitable institutions as 'Shine a Light'.

Watch the 'Climb with Charlie' campaign video below.