ACTOR COLIN FARRELL and his longtime friend, Emma Fogarty, who is Ireland’s longest-surviving person battling epidermolysis bullosa (EB), have thanked viewers of Friday night’s Late Late Show that saw €415,000 fundraised on the night for charity Debra.

The fundraiser has now raised over €570,000 for the national EB charity, helping the 300 people living in Ireland with the condition. 

Farrell joined Fogarty on the show to raise awareness of their ‘Run to 40’ challenge.

Fogarty this year celebrated her ‘miracle’ 40th birthday, despite having the most severe type of the genetic skin condition.

Born with no skin on her left foot and right arm, EB causes excruciating blisters on her skin at the mildest touch – the reason it is also known as ‘Butterfly Skin’.

Emma lives with recessive dystrophic EB, the most severe form of the rare genetic disease, with a current life expectancy of 30-35 years.

Funds raised during the Run to 40 drive will be used to fuel pioneering research which could transform the future for everyone with EB in Ireland.

The Penguin star told how he is gearing up for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon next Sunday to mark the milestone, with each kilometre representing a decade of her life. Fogarty will join him in a wheelchair for the final 4km.

“I am in a state of shock and absolute excitement, I can’t believe that this has been achieved,” said Debra CEO, Jimmy Fearon.

“Emma and Colin were outstanding and we are overjoyed with the funds raised – the good things we can do for families with EB is what this is all about.”

“There are four forms of the condition and Emma has the severest one,” said Colin Farrell backstage.

“She is the third person in Ireland with her type of EB to reach the age of 40 – she’s a miracle really, and a legend.”

Speaking to host Patrick Kielty during the show, Emma highlighted the challenge the 4km distance will pose to her.

“Four kilometres sounds very little to a lot of people, there’s people here who probably run 10km every day or 5km or whatever,” she said.

“For me, that’s going to be a very long journey because potholes, ramps, even a pebble on the road – I will feel every one.”

You can support the fundraising initiative here.