Charlie Bird has made a heartbreaking request of his followers.
The former RTÉ correspondent was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021, after noticing issues with his speech.
The 73-year-old took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday evening to make an appeal in the event of his passing.
Charlie penned: “Hi everyone, I want to make a direct appeal to everyone who supports climbwithcharlie, when I pass, please help my lovely wife Claire and Tiger to continue the work of extending the hand of friendship to people in dark places and the charities I support.”
“I really love you all,” he concluded.
A host of the former RTÉ correspondent’s X followers agreed to oblige, with one writing: “We hear you loud and clear, Charlie. And that good work that you started will be continued in your name when you’re not here to do it yourself. You and your family remain in the thoughts and prayers of many of us. Warm wishes.”
Meanwhile, another said: “Charlie, the nation knows that this journey you are on is not one you are on alone; Claire and Tiger are travelling this very difficult path with u every step of the way. U have captured the hearts & minds of the nation, u r an inspiration – yr work will live on through Claire.”
Hi everyone, I want to make a direct appeal to everyone who supports climbwithcharlie, when I pass,please help my lovely wife Claire and Tiger to continue the work of extending the hand of friendship to people in dark places and the charities I support. I really love you all.
— Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) November 13, 2023
It comes after Charlie revealed he could no longer walk unassisted.
In August, he tweeted: “I want to be honest my MND is getting worse, I cannot walk any longer unless I have a walking stick.”
“But other things are deteriorating as well.. But I keep promising while I have a breath in my body I am going to continue to extend the hand of friendship. Love you all.”
Last month, the former RTÉ correspondent revealed he had “turned a corner” in his battle with MND, and had started using a wheelchair.
