Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has left a special message for her friend Charlie Bird as he prepares to take on his Climb with Charlie challenge this weekend.
Vicky had initially planned to go along to Croagh Patrick to support Charlie and the thousands of people climbing around the country to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone's Association and Pieta House.
But the campaigner has revealed she is in too much pain to make the journey.
Taking to her Instagram with one of her video updates, Vicky explained: "Hi everyone, I just wanted to do a video update today - and I really wanted to do it because it's a special weekend for Charlie Bird. The climb is going ahead on Saturday and I want to wish everyone the best of luck.
"I'm so disappointed that I can't go, but there are a number of members of my family that are heading to Westport to do the climb. My parents, my sister and two of my brothers as well as nieces and nephews, but I would love to be there."
Vicky took a break from social media in March after she suffered serious complications following a course of radiotherapy in February.
But she returned on Wednesday with a positive update.
However, the logistics of getting to Croagh Patrick to support Charlie in person would be too difficult, Vicky explained.
She said: "My walking is still quite limited and my back is still causing me quite a bit of pain. I couldn't take the chance of sitting in the car for three hours and staying in a bed that isn't my own for three nights."
"It's something that we all take for granted, just going for a walk. It's something I can't do at the moment. I walk from my kitchen to my front door and then I have to sit down. If you can get out on Saturday, do. Even if it's just up and down your stairs or in your park, it's two great causes to help out with and whatever you're doing it for, it's just such a great thing to do."
However, with a huge Phelan contingent heading up to Mayo, Vicky will be there in spirit - and she even said she'd be tuning in to tomorrow's Late Late Show to support them and Charlie.
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