Colin Farrell and his friend Emma Fogarty raised €774,000 at last weekend's Dublin City Marathon.
The Irish actor ran the marathon for Ms Fogarty, who is Ireland's longest surviving person with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare skin disease also known as "Butterfly Skin".
EB can feel like third-degree burns, with patients often needing hours of daily bandaging to manage the condition. It requires extensive care, including daily or bi-daily bandaging, putting a huge strain on families.
Farrell and Fogarty ran the marathon for the charity Debra, who support people battling this disease. Fogarty joined Farrell for the final stretch, which saw the actor push her wheelchair for the final four kilometres of the run. Each Km represented a decade of Fogarty's life with the condition.
The initial target was set at €400,000 by Farrell. But this was surpassed following his appearance on the Late Late Show two weeks ago.
Farrell had previously expressed his frustration over the lack of care available to treat this disease.
"I love Emma, I love her to bits. I couldn’t be any more proud of her," he 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".
In a recent interview, Debra CEO Jimmy Fearon praised Farrell and Fogarty for their endeavours over the weekend.
"The marathon generated unbelievable publicity for us as a small organisation," he said, while adding that EB is often described as "the worst condition you’ve never heard of".
While explaining how moved Emma Fogarty was by the support, Mr Fearon also praised the Dublin City Marathon Time, the Gardaí and the public for their support on the day.
He said: "It was a magical, truly special day".
Mr Fearon also said that he expects a continued rise in donations to the charity, amid a major increase in public awareness of EB.
Debra have outlined plans to expand family support services, including phone support, hone visits, respite grants, counselling, and bereavement services, thanks to the funds raised.
However, Jimmy Fearon has insisted that there is still a need for secure, ring-fenced funding to ensure home nursing care for those battling severe cases of EB throughout their lives.
"Currently, families are on thin ice," he stated. "We want a clear pathway and funding commitment, especially as patients age, to ensure consistent care".
Log onto Debra.ie if you wish to donate.
