Lovely Gesture Charlie Bird pays tribute to mum-of-two who died during Galtymore charity climb

Charlie Bird has paid tribute to the woman who died after falling ill while climbing a Tipperary mountain on Saturday.

Cora O’Grady (51) was climbing Galtymore with her two children Luke and Lily when she became unwell at the summit at around 1pm.

Ms O’Grady was assisted by paramedics who made efforts to resuscitate her. However, tragically she was pronounced dead at the scene at around 2pm.

Ms O’Grady, from Robert Street in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, was part of a group of hikers climbing Galtymore as part of former RTÉ broadcaster Charlie Bird’s Climb With Charlie campaign to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.

Charlie, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, has reached out to Ms O’Grady’s family after learning of her tragic death.

Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, the 72-year-old said: “I want to offer my condolences this morning to the family and friends of Cora O' from Mitchelstown in County Cork.

“Cora who was climbing in the Galty mountains took ill and passed away. Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.”

It comes after Charlie revealed that donations have now passed the €2m mark after people gathered all around the world to take part in his fundraiser

Taking to social media on Sunday evening, he said: “Extending the hand of friendship is our motto for climbwithcharlie.”

He said that he could officially confirm that “we have gone over the two million mark in donations. The money raised at the Dunnes Stores tills has brought us there. Let’s keep donating. We might reach two and a half million.”

Earlier, he told of how he cried “tears of joy” when he realised that the campaign was nearing the €2 million mark.

“I am completely blown away by the amazing support for Climb with Charlie all over the country and abroad,” he said.

“I can tell you we are going to go beyond €2m raised. I cried so much yesterday but they were all tears of joy. A big loving hug to everyone. Thanks everyone.”