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Colin Farrell finishes Dublin Marathon for charity Debra Ireland
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Colin Farrell finishes Dublin Marathon for charity Debra Ireland

The penguin Star Colin Farrell completed the Irish Life Dublin Marathon today in support of the charity Debra Ireland, crossing the finish line in just over four hours alongside his long-term girlfriend Emma Fogarty, who suffers from a rare genetic condition called epidermolysis bullosa, which affects the skin.

Joining over 22,000 runners, the Oscar nominee opened the event and met Fogarty for the final 2.5 miles of the race, leading her to the finish line. In a video taken at the finish line, Farrell can be seen hugging Fogarty as he rests after the ordeal. “Shall we go again?” The Banshees of Inisherin The actor can be heard saying.

Ahead of the annual campaign, Fogarty and Farrell exceeded their goal of raising 400,000 euros for EB and set a new goal of 1 million euros, after raising 679,000 euros (around $733 million) a day ago. The charity event was held to mark Fogarty's 40th birthday as she reached a milestone that few achieve with her EB type.

Per Debra Ireland, EB, known as “butterfly skin,” is an incurable and incredibly painful blistering skin condition with more than half a million people worldwide diagnosed with the condition and lacking the essential proteins needed to bind the skin together Skin layers are required. This causes the epidermis to break and tear from minor friction, movement, or trauma. More severe forms of EB have a life expectancy from early infancy to age 35.

“This run was nothing compared to the pain she endures every day, even when she doesn’t show it,” Farrell said afterward Irish times. It was an honor to see her waiting for me four kilometers ahead of me, each of those kilometers representing a decade of her life, and for me to travel the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.”

The Irish actor previously spoke about his running participation and the importance of this year's Dublin Marathon during an appearance on the US TV show Late Night with Seth Meyers last month. “Literally 80% of her body is an open wound. She is a legend. She shouldn't have been as old as she is now, she's 40 years old. I will push her the last 4 km. She's magical, this one. I’ve known her for 16 years, so she gives me an excuse to slow down in the last two and a half miles.”

Farrell has long been involved in charitable causes and earlier this year founded the Colin Farrell Foundation to dedicate himself to his son, who suffers from Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder. Founded in August, the organization's mission is to close the resource gap for adult children with intellectual disabilities through advocacy, education and innovative programs.

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