The ‘Penguin’ star and his friend Emma Fogarty, who has the skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), raised over $850,000 for charity Debra Ireland
Colin Farrell had an emotion-filled weekend as he completed the Irish Life Dublin Marathon with friend Emma Fogarty.
The duo raised more than $850,000 for charity Debra Ireland as they participated in the race on Sunday, Oct. 27, with Farrell, 48, pushing Fogarty, 40, in her wheelchair for the last 2.5 miles and across the finish line, per Irish Central.
Photos from the last stretch of the race show the Banshees of Inisherin actor smiling as he pushes Fogarty, who has the rare genetic skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), while she is seen cheering with her arms in the air.
Farrell finished in just over 4 hours, according to multiple outlets. And after sharing a hug with Fogarty following the race, he joked, “Should we go again?”, as seen in video footage from the finish line posted on X.
Farrell said in a statement after the race, per The Irish Times, “I have known Emma for many years and she epitomizes bravery, she is what courage and pure determination are all about.”
He went on to say that the marathon “was nothing compared to the pain” that Fogarty “is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn’t show it.”
“It was an honor to see her waiting for me with 4 km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it,” the Penguin actor added.
“Every euro” of the money raised by Farrell and Fogarty, according to the Debra Ireland charity, “will continue to fund vital research, provide critical services and transform the lives of those living with” EB, also known as “butterfly skin.”
The marathon also marked a 40th birthday celebration for Fogarty, which is a milestone not many people with her condition achieve.
Fogarty, a patient ambassador of Debra Ireland, appeared on Ireland’s The Late Late Show earlier this month alongside Farrell, where the actor said he was pushing Fogarty 1 km for each decade of her life, adding up to 4 km/2.5 miles total.
Asked what having Farrell by her side at the race, Fogarty said “a lot” and added, “We’re really close; we get on really well. We have a laugh, and we really enjoy each other’s company.”
“And I trust no one, apart from family, more than you to push me that last 4k,” she then told her longtime friend, amid applause from the crowd.