RTE legend Charlie Bird has said he wants to die at home surrounded by his family.
The iconic reporter has revealed he is receiving hospice care in his Wicklow home in recent months.
Mr Bird said his motor neurone disease has worsened – making it harder for him to move around without the aid of a walking stick.
He says his wish is to die at home with his family around him and that hospice care teams can help make this happen.
“I want to be very honest, when my time comes, I want to die at home with my family around my bed,” he told RTÉ.
“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would end up getting help from the hospice.”
Describing motor neuron disease as a nightmare, he said: “It makes me cry every day. But my voice bank does not pick up my crying.”
He said he did not often cover or promote stories about the hospice movement during his 38-year career with RTÉ as chief news correspondent, but added: “Coming to the end of my life, the role that the hospice plays, has been revealed to me.”
Speaking at the Powerscourt Estate, Co Wicklow today, he was joined by his wife Claire and beloved singing dog Tiger to encourage people around the country to hold a coffee morning on 21 September next month to help fund hospice care around the country, which has been invaluable to many families, including his own.
He says the staff there provide a brilliant service.
For full story see https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0823/1401244-charlie-bird/
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