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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Townsend & Cathal Ryan

Charlie Bird opens up on emotional 'final wish' as he continues to battle Motor Neurone Disease

Charlie Bird has opened up on his final "final wish" as he continues to battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

The legendary RTE journalist and broadcaster has been tirelessly campaigning to raise awareness of the disease, as well as fundraising for mental health services after his 2021 diagnosis.

Just as Ireland begins to mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, Charlie has told his followers that he has one last wish before his "time comes to pass away".

READ MORE: Charlie Bird pays powerful tribute to Vicky Phelan as he shares health update

Taking to Twitter, the former broadcaster posted: "Whenever my time comes to pass away I want my final wish to be to extend the hand of friendship, and on this day the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement it is my final wish that both communities extend the hand of friendship to each other."

The tweet garnered a massive amount of support from his followers, with one person posting: "Bless you Charlie for putting others before yourself. Have a restful Easter, and God willing before the next part of your journey things will be in a better place for us all here.”

Another added: "You are a legend and a true gentleman, the whole country is on a journey with you. Thank you for your honesty and great bravery. You are in all of our hearts just as like when you were in our livening rooms at 9 pm.

“Only you could have raised the awareness of Motor neurone disease”.

One more wrote: "How thoughtful & inspiring you are Charlie. You have extended the hand of friendship to all. IMNDA, Cancer & the late Vicky Phelan & her family, the Samaritans who give their services to all 24/7 re mental health and now the Good Friday Agr. Thank you & best wishes to you too."

A fourth fan posted: "You have really created a movement for change by saying what you really feel. All the right things if everyone could have your heart and courage things could be so much different."

Charlie Bird, together with Pieta, the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and other charities and organisations close to his heart gathered to celebrate the one year anniversary of Climb with Charlie with a 5k walk. (INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Charlie’s tweet comes just days ahead of his special Hand of Friendship Walk which is being held in aid of the Samaritans in Wicklow this month.

He will walk 5km through Avondale Forest Park in Rathdrum with Samaritans volunteers and supporters on Sunday, April 16.

The Charlie Bird Hand of Friendship Walk with Samaritans is supported by Coillte. Avondale Forest Park and other Coillte sites across Ireland will be open for 5km and 1km walks.

Those who want to take part but cannot make it to Wicklow on the day can "walk in solidarity with Charlie" in any of Coillte's forest walks, or with Samaritans volunteers in Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon, Farren Forest Park, Cork, and at Ard na Gaoithe, Galway.

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