Can he do it?
Colin Farrell has a set a new fundraising goal as he gears up to run the Dublin City Marathon.
The Penguin actor is running the marathon to raise money for people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin condition.
He’s doing it in honour of his close friend Emma Fogarty, who is 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 Emma must endure hours of daily bandaging to manage the intense condition.
Colin Farrell initially set a fundraising goal target of €400,000 and he’s after surpassing that amount after appearing with Emma on The Late Late Show last week.
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The actor appeared one The Ray D’Arcy Show on Wednesday, where he spoke of his admiration for Emma’s strength, while sharing 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," Colin 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.”
Emma herself is set to join Colin for the final stretch of the marathon, with the actor pushing her wheelchair for the last four kilometres. Each kilometre represents a decade of Emma’s life living with EB.
Describing the difficulties of navigating the terrain in her wheelchair Emma 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, Ray D’Arcy announced that the HSE had pledged €125,000 in core funding to Debra. While the commitment was welcomed, Colin 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."
If you’d like to support Emma and Colin in their fundraising goal, you can donate at Debra.ie
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Source: RTÉ
