'None of us knows what's around the corner': Charlie Bird on an extraordinary year  

In a recent Tweet, Charlie Bird announced that his fast-advancing motor neurone disease is affecting his mobility. Regardless, he wants to reach out the hand of friendship to those in need. The former RTÉ correspondent looks back on an extraordinary year 

Charlie Bird with his dog Tiger at Buswells Hotel, Dublin in February. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov

“Hi, myself and Tiger want to send you all Christmas wishes... But I need to be honest, over the past couple of weeks my MND has started to spread to my limbs and I don’t know how long more I will be mobile for, and survive for. But while I can, I want to extend the hand of friendship...”

For anyone stressed about the season that is in it, Charlie Bird’s Tweet last Sunday about the progress of his motor neurone disease (MND) will have given pause for thought.