Colin Farrell Completes Dublin Marathon While Helping Friend in Wheelchair
In October 2024, Irish actor Colin Farrell garnered global attention by finishing the Dublin Marathon while pushing his friend, Emma Fogarty, in a wheelchair for the last portion. Fogarty, who lives with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), faces severe skin fragility, causing her skin to blister easily. Commonly known as “butterfly skin,” EB is a rare and incurable condition that greatly affects everyday life. Farrell’s touching act helped collect €774,000 (around $895,500) for Debra Ireland, a charity aimed at assisting those with EB.
Farrell propelled 40-year-old Fogarty for the final 4 kilometers (roughly 2.49 miles) of the marathon, symbolically completing one kilometer for each decade of her life living with EB. Born with major skin challenges, she requires extensive bandaging over 80% of her body due to the constant risk of painful blisters. She is acknowledged as Ireland’s oldest living person with this condition.
Inspired by Fogarty’s strength and optimistic spirit, Farrell embraced the initiative to raise awareness and funds for EB patients. He praised Fogarty’s bravery, stating, “I have known Emma for many years and she epitomizes bravery, she is what courage and pure determination are all about.” Farrell’s finish time was 4 hours, 6 minutes, and 45 seconds, after which he presented Fogarty with a marathon medal.
Jimmy Fearon, chief executive of Debra Ireland, emphasized the substantial visibility the marathon provided to the organization, significantly enhancing its profile. Frequently referred to as “the worst condition you’ve never heard of,” awareness about EB is vital for fostering support. The money raised will be allocated towards improving family support services, including home visits and ongoing bandaging needs.
The inspiring marathon finish of Farrell and Fogarty was documented on video, broadening the reach of their story. Links to Debra Ireland’s website and social media continue to attract attention and support for the cause. Their journey highlights the strength of unity and advocacy in the battle against rare medical conditions.
Related articles on similar inspiring marathon stories can be found [here](https://mymodernmet.com/).