Charlie Bird has asked his supporters to light a candle to mark a year since his historic Croagh Patrick climb, as he admitted in video message that his “health is deteriorating.”
The former RTE broadcaster is battling motor neurone disease, and taking to social media on Friday he sent out a short video message featuring his beloved pet dog Tiger. Charlie wrote on Twitter: "Hi from myself and Tiger, even though my health is deteriorating,” he captioned the clip.
"Yes, I am struggling now, but as long as I can I want to extend the hand of friendship to everyone. You have lifted my spirits," he added.
The RTE veteran was diagnosed with motor neurone in 2021 and his Climb With Charlie campaign raised over €3million for charity. Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness.
Last April Charlie was joined by thousands of supporters as he climbed Croagh Patrick and raised raised over €3million for charity. Nowadays Charlie uses voice technology to speak, and in his video today he revealed his plans to mark a year since his historic climb.
Charlie has asked members of the public to light a candle on Saturday 1 April or Sunday 2 April in support of others with motor neurone disease.
He said: "I would love to mark the occasion of our hike climb. On Saturday 1st April or Sunday 2nd, I would love if we all extended the hand of friendship and lit a candle for everyone with a terminal illness, for everyone that is in a dark place and for everyone that has a life-changing illness, the people of Ukraine.
"It would be amazing if we all lit a candle in solidarity, showing our love and support for them. As long as I have a breath in my body. I’m going to continue extending the hand of friendship,” added Charlie.
In a recent update early in the New Year, Charlie gave the sad news that there's 'no possibility ' he could climb Croagh Patrick again. He said in a video: "I am no longer certain how much longer I will have mobility. There is no possibility that I could climb Croagh Patrick again, although I want to continue helping people and charities.”
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