Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Clare McCarthy

RTE legend Charlie Bird 'upset and guilty' as he struggles to respond to hundreds letters of support

Charlie Bird has revealed he feels "so upset and guilty" for not being able to respond to the hundreds of letters of support he receives every day.

The veteran RTE journalist said it "hurts" him that he doesn't have the "time and the energy" to send individual responses while he battles Motor Neurone Disease.

Charlie has consistently thanked people for their kind messages of support he has received over the last few months saying it has helped him cope with his diagnosis.

READ MORE: Emotional RTE viewers all saying the same thing after Charlie Bird documentary

In a Tweet on Thursday, he wrote: "I need your help every one who follows me. I feel so upset and guilty I cannot respond to all the letters, cards and gifts that I am receiving in the post.

"It really hurts me that I don’t have the time and the energy to respond to everyone. So please pass on my apologies. Thanks."

The 72-year-old has been candid about his diagnosis late last year and recently shared his experience of the disease in an RTE documentary Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear.

The emotional documentary saw Charlie speak bravely about his terminal illness as he visited his eventual resting place, a graveyard in Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.

He also shared about the impact it has had on his relationship with his wife Claire Mould and admitted that his main worry is about what will happen to Claire when he is gone.

"I feel so upset for Claire, I really do. I want to put my arms around her and try and protect her," Charlie revealed.

The former Washington correspondent has committed himself to raising awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease since his diagnosis late last year.

Climb with Charlie saw thousands of people across the country climb peaks in their local area, while Charlie climbed Croagh Patrick on April 2.

The charitable initiative received over €3 million in donations and the money was donated to Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Pieta House.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.