Mini-marathon mum Liz’s 19th race for skin disease charity Debra

A Dublin mum is gearing up for her 19th Women’s Mini Marathon – to support the national charity which helps her daughter battle an horrific skin disease.

Liz Collins has completed the 10k run every year since the birth of her daughter Claudia Scanlon, generating massive awareness for DEBRA Ireland.

The teenager lives with a severe form of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), the genetic skin disease also known as Butterfly Skin, which leaves 80% of her body covered in open wounds.

Every June bank holiday, Liz makes a promise to run for Claudia and the charity – which helps and advocates for people living with EB and their families, while driving research into treatments and cures.

And she is asking people to give what they can to ease the burden of the condition for the estimated 300 people living with it in Ireland.

Liz Collins with her daughter Claudia. Picture: Eoin Fegan.

“You put on your t-shirt with pride, with the patient in your heart,” said Liz, 55, from Terenure.

“I was hooked after my first run and I saw it as a case of women empowering women, it was amazing.

“When DEBRA was a very small charity, the Mini Marathon was one of the things we did and I watched it go from one other lady on the 10k to a couple of years ago, watching a sea of blue (DEBRA) t-shirts and that indicated the awareness being created.

“I’ll always have a passion for it, it’s my favourite event.

“I think that when women get together, they have the ability to move mountains and the camaraderie is fantastic.

“So get behind us, run with us for DEBRA, and if not, I’m asking people to make a donation.”

Not even Covid could knock Liz of course – she completed solo runs in 2020 and 2021 in the Phoenix Park.

This year’s run through the streets of Dublin on June 4 comes shortly after Claudia, 19, finishes her make-up artistry course at Blackrock.

And she is determined to play a full part in society.

“College has been tough, she wants to get out and like everyone else, work and earn and have workmates,” said Liz, who also sits on DEBRA’s board.

“She has hit every milestone in her life so far, this is going to be tough and I have to believe there will be someone out there who will take a chance on her and give her an opportunity.

“If the right job came along for her, she would be such an asset and a bonus to anyone’s company.”

*If you can support Liz’s run for DEBRA Ireland, donate at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/ElizabethCollins931

An estimated €230million has been raised for charitable causes since the race’s inception in 1983.