I'm living day to day...

Bird urges public to host coffee morning & raise hospice cash

- GRAINNE NI AODHA

€43m How much has been raised for Together for Hospice since 1992

RETIRED broadcaster Charlie Bird is receiving hospice care at his home in his ongoing battle with motor neurone disease.

The former RTE chief news correspondent is urging businesses across Ireland to host a coffee morning next month in a bid to help raise funds for the "brilliant" work that hospices do.

Two years on from his terminal diagnosis, Bird, 73, said his condition had worsened and that "every day is a struggle for me now".

He added: "But I live each day at a time. My MND has deteriorated, especially affecting my mobility."

Addressing people who had been recently diagnosed with MND, he said people should "fight as hard as you can".

Speaking through an app which clones his voice, he said he has been receiving care at his Wicklow home from Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services.