Raising funds for DEBRA Ireland
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A NUMBER of avid runners braved one of Ireland’s toughest mountain races last month to raise funds for DEBRA Ireland, who offer services for people with the very rare and painful skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), which is commonly known as ‘butterfly skin’.
The runners took on one of two race options for the Wicklow Mountains Challenge, which is now in its tenth year, with some runners opting for a 10k challenge while more experienced runners went for the 21km half-marathon option.
Runners from the local area took part in the charity event, including Daniel Bates from Knocklyon, Tomasza Lesniak from Clondalkin, Niamh Garvey from Terenure, who won the half-marathon, and Lucan men Gerry Whelan and Donal Gleeson.
Speaking to The Echo, Donal Gleeson (47) said: “A friend of mine had competed in the race before and he suggested it, primarily because it’s for a good cause.
“The race was a bit of craic and a bit of fun.
“I was delighted to do whatever little bit I could to contribute to DEBRA’s cause.
“I have a lot of admiration for the charity – minority ailments don’t get a whole lot of attention so it’s usually down to family and friends to raise funds and awareness for these conditions.”
Mr Gleeson added that he intends to take up the Wicklow Mountain’s Challenge in aid of DEBRA Ireland again next year, and he praised the positive atmosphere during the run as being “very enjoyable”.
Incredibly painful
DEBRA Ireland supports people living with EB, which is an incredibly painful skin condition that causes the skin’s layers and internal body linings to blister and wound at the slightest touch.
EB is a genetic condition, and there are currently no treatments or cures for it.
