Charlie Bird has shared a heartfelt message to Vicky Phelan as she announced earlier this week that she would be unable to take part in the Climb for Charlie event in April due to ill health.
The former RTE broadcaster, who shared his Motor Neuron Disease diagnosis in October of last year, shared a message for Vicky to Twitter. He said; “So sad that Vicky Phelan won’t be able to wave me off on the 2nd April when I start to climb Croagh Patrick, she has told me she will be with me in spirit- Vicky you are in my thoughts every day.”
“When I get to the top the first candle I light will be for you Vicky my soulmate,” he added.
The pair struck up a friendship after his emotional appearance on the Late Late Show where last year he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. She reached out to him to commend his brave words and had planned to join his fundraiser, Climb with Charlie alongside Ryan Tubridy and Daniel O’Donnell.
Responding to his kind words on social media this week Vicky said; “Awwww thank you Charlie for your lovely message and for promising to light a candle for me at the top. That really means a lot to me. THANK YOU my dear friend.”
The cervical health check campaigner shared how disappointed she was not to be able to take part in the climb, but that recent cancer treatment has been difficult and she needs time to rest and recover; “I have had to make the hard decision NOT to make the journey to Croagh Patrick in April for the #climbwithcharlie I am simply not well enough either physically or mentally. The past few weeks have really knocked the stuffing out of me and I need to focus on just getting well again.”
“I have already been in touch with Charlie and he has been great about it,” she added.
Whilst updating her followers on how difficult the last few weeks have been she also said that she plans to not be as active on social media as she once was so that she can devote her time and energy to her loved ones.
She shared; “I am also going to pull back from posting here on social media. I need to focus on spending time with my family and friends. I hope that people understand. Unfortunately, my condition has become unpredictable and is impacting more and more on my everyday life.”
“Thank you ALL for your continued support and for all your well wishes. I really do appreciate the support.”
We are wishing Vicki all the best with her treatment over the next few weeks.
