Irish football fans are in for a treat because Virgin Media has confirmed it will air the documentary Finding Jack Charlton on March 28.
Given the subject matter of the documentary which chronicles Charlton's own battle with dementia, the broadcaster has also teamed with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland to launch a fundraising week from 22-28 March.
The campaign 'Donate for Dementia' will help raise awareness and vital funds to support people with all forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s which affects half a million Irish families.
From Monday, March 22, VMTV studio shows from Ireland AM to The Tonight Show will include special programming around this disease, including stories from those directly affected. With one in ten of those diagnosed under the age of 65 we will meet people of all ages impacted by Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia and find out how they have been coping with lockdown measures.
The Six O’Clock Show presenter Martin King will open up about his own personal experience with dementia in a special documentary, We Need To Talk About Dementia, that will air on Sunday 28th March at 8pm.
However, for football fans, they'll be delighted to know that the week will conclude with the broadcast of the highly anticipated documentary, Finding Jack Charlton on Virgin Media One at 9pm on Sunday, March 28.
Pete Thomas and Gabriel Clarke's documentary chronicles some of the most iconic moments in the history of Irish football as the boys on green take on the world at Euro '88, Italia '90 and USA '94.
The film features contributions from Jack’s family for the first time, including his wife Pat and son John. They are supported by major figures in football, music, film and politics.
The documentary also features unseen archive footage, capturing behind the scenes with Jack and the Ireland team during the World Cup in 1990 and on the road to their qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
Bill Malone, director of content at Virgin Media Television, said: “Virgin Media Television are delighted to be part of such an initiative, to raise awareness of Dementia and to raise much-needed funds for The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
"Throughout the week our key programmes will shine a light on the experiences of those who have been affected by Dementia and the great work of the society.
"The culmination of our fundraising week will be Sunday, March 28th with a number of specially commissioned programmes; tributes to Jack Charlton by those who knew him and the TV premiere of the wonderful film Finding Jack Charlton.”
Donate for Dementia runs from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th March and will include special programming across VMTV shows.
