VETERAN broadcaster Charlie Bird has died on the age of 74 following a protracted battle with motor neurone illness (MND).
The former journalist spent 4 a long time reporting from throughout the globe for Ireland’s nationwide broadcaster RTÉ.
In Ireland he coated every part from the Troubles within the North to the Stardust nightclub fireplace tragedy in Dublin in 1981.
Having retired from RTÉ in 2012, the Dublin native, who lived in Wicklow, turned his consideration to campaigning in later life.
Following his MND analysis in 2021 he targeted a lot of these efforts on fundraising for analysis into the illness.
He undertook a collection of challenges in recent years and even had one deliberate in Wicklow which was as a consequence of take place subsequent month.
In April 2022, he raised greater than £2.8million when he climbed Croagh Patrick in Mayo.
Thousands of individuals climbed mountains throughout Ireland in solidarity with him as part of his ‘Climb with Charlie’ marketing campaign.
Following his demise President Michael D Higgins remembered Bird as an “exceptionally talented broadcaster”.
“Charlie was a truly remarkable man driven by a deep sense of social justice in the most positive sense,” he stated.
“As an intuitive journalist, Charlie identified with causes from below,” he defined.
Then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern being interviewed by Charlie Bird in 2003“His dedicated pursuit of the truth, and immense ability to build warm relationships that would last through life with all those with whom he came in contact, made him one of the outstanding journalists of his generation.”
In June 2022 the President invited Charlie, his spouse Claire, and their canine Tiger to Áras an Uachtaráin to personally thank him for all his charity work.
President invited Charlie, his spouse Claire, and their canine Tiger to Áras an Uachtaráin in June 2022Today the President praised Bird’s tireless campaigning in recent years, regardless of his situation deteriorating.
“Perhaps above all else, Charlie will be remembered for the deeply moving contribution which he has made since his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021, having first noticed that something was not right three years ago this week on St Patrick’s Day of that year,” President Higgins stated.
“It is hard to understate the impact which Charlie’s work has had on our country,” he added.
“His many initiatives, similar to Climb with Charlie, raised unbelievable ranges of funding for therefore many necessary causes and organisations.
Charlie Bird has died following a battle with motor neurone illness“A contribution for all generations that can endure.
“Even greater than that, the dignity, power, hope and inspiration with which Charlie carried the burden of his sickness was exceptional.
“In a approach that was really extraordinary, Charlie redefined our collective perspective on the sickness of Motor Neurone Disease and terminal sickness extra usually.
“His experience touched every home in this country and will leave a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten.”
Bird leaves behind his wfie Claire and his daughters Orla and Nessa.
