The former RTE chief information correspondent is urging businesses throughout Ireland to host a espresso morning subsequent month in a bid to assist increase funds for the “brilliant” work that hospitals do.
Two years on from his terminal prognosis, Bird, 73, mentioned his situation had worsened and that “every day is a struggle for me now”.
“But I live each day at a time. My MND has deteriorated, especially affecting my mobility,” he mentioned.
Addressing individuals who had been not too long ago identified with MND, he mentioned individuals ought to dwell every day at a time and “fight as hard as you can”.
Speaking by an app which clones his voice, he mentioned he has been receiving care at his home from Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services.
“I want to make one thing very clear: when my time comes, I want to pass away at home surrounded by my family – and the hospice care team say they will look after me there,” he mentioned.
Since his prognosis, Bird has vowed to proceed to help teams and charities “as long as I have a breath in my body”.
He helped increase greater than 3.3 million euro for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and psychological well being charity Pieta final yr in a marketing campaign that noticed him climb Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo.
Bird was joined by his wife Claire and their dog Tiger at Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa in Wicklow on Wednesday, as he asked the public, coffee shops, hotels and other businesses to join Ireland’s largest espresso morning on September 21.
Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice has raised 43.2 million euro for Together for Hospice, the National Hospice Movement, since its inception in 1992.
The fundraising drive helps to pay for medical and common employees, palliative care beds, home care visits, specialist tools and new hospice builds.
Bird mentioned that hospitals and specialist palliative home care suppliers throughout Ireland want additional help to proceed their “brilliant” work.
“I might plead with everybody, along with businesses and organisations, to host or sponsor a espresso morning on September 21, or each time fits them.
“Even two individuals getting collectively for a espresso counts as a fundraiser.
“None of us is aware of on this life after we would possibly want hospice care. So please, lengthen the hand of friendship and help the hospice wherever they’re within the nation.
“To these newly identified with MND, I might advise: dwell every day at a time and combat as onerous as you possibly can.
“There are many great supports there to help us, so please use them.”
His spouse Claire mentioned the hospice care is offering a lifeline to the couple.
“They listen and take so much time and care looking after both Charlie’s physical and mental needs and also my needs as Charlie’s wife and carer,” she mentioned.
“They never give up on us and their visits to our home give us hope that this dreadful journey can be made less stressful by letting them into our lives.”
Geraldine Tracey, interim director of nursing at Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, mentioned Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice is coming into its fourth decade of elevating funds.
“This ongoing support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, enhancing care for patients living with a life-limiting illness.”
The public and businesses can register to host a espresso morning on Thursday September 21, or on one other date that fits, at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or by calling 0818 995 996. A donation can be made at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.
