Irish actor Colin Farrell has set a new goal to raise €1 million for the charity Debra ahead of the Dublin City Marathon this weekend.
The Golden Globe-winning actor is running the marathon to support people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin condition, in honour of his close friend Emma Fogarty, Ireland's longest-surviving EB patient.
EB, often referred to as "Butterfly Skin," causes severe blistering and open wounds, making it feel like living with third-degree burns. Sufferers, like Fogarty, must endure hours of daily bandaging to manage the condition.
Farrell, who initially set a target of €400,000, surpassed that amount after appearing on The Late Late Show last week. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Ray D’Arcy Show on Wednesday, the actor praised Fogarty’s strength and shared his frustration with the level of care available for those with EB in Ireland.
"I love Emma, I love her to bits. I couldn’t be any more proud of her," Farrell said. "But I don’t think I could be any more frustrated knowing that Emma and all those in our country who suffer with EB aren’t getting the care they could."
To mark her 40th birthday, Colin Farrell is taking on Emma's Run to 40 by running the @dublinmarathon in honour of his dear friend 👟.
— Debra - The Butterfly Skin Charity (@debraireland) July 24, 2024
Together, they hope to raise €400,000 for Debra, supporting those with EB. 🦋 #Runto40
👟 Get involved 👉 https://t.co/GJqGPlOYYz pic.twitter.com/MN4odckwcw
Fogarty, from Co Laois, is set to join Farrell for the final stretch of the marathon, with the actor pushing her wheelchair for the last four kilometres. Each kilometre represents a decade of Fogarty’s life with the condition.
Describing the difficulties of navigating the terrain in her wheelchair Fogarty said: "The potholes, the ramps, even a pebble, I’ll feel every one of those… I will go home with new wounds and plenty of blisters."
During the show, D’Arcy announced that the HSE had pledged €125,000 in core funding to Debra. While the commitment was welcomed, Farrell highlighted the larger funding gap for EB patients.
"It’s hard to see the need and the suffering up close and personal through my relationship with my pal Emma and know that there’s a broader amount of suffering going on with a further 300 people living with EB in Ireland.
"If you have to leave a few potholes uncovered or not build a bridge, so be it… more needs to be done."
Fogarty echoed the sentiment, questioning how infrastructure projects could take precedence over the needs of vulnerable individuals. "How are the sick and more vulnerable not more important than a bike shed?" she asked.
If you would like to find out more or to donate to Debra, please see: Debra.ie
