A NUMBER of Northsiders took part in a recent challenge to help raise vital funds for butterfly skin charity Debra Ireland.
Helen Kirk, from Richmond Road in Fairview, and Deirdre Sheehan, from Shanliss Road, Santry, participated in Debra Ireland’s inspirational Kerry Challenge which involved three days of trekking through the beautiful Dingle Peninsula.
Swords locals Helen Finnerty from Kinsealy Court and Ciaran Mahony, Swords Manor, also took part in the event.
The charity supports people living with EB (epidermolysis bullosa). This rare and incredibly painful genetic skin condition causes the skin layers and internal body linings to blister and wound at the slightest touch.
Helen and Deirdre were among over 120 participants from around the country supporting Debra by lacing up their walking boots for the trek.
Debra's Kerry Challenge is open to everyone from seasoned runners to first time amblers.
Debra Ireland's Head of Marketing and Fundraising Judith Gilsenan said: "The Kerry Challenge is a fantastic way to make a real difference in people's lives while meeting new friends and exploring Dingle's great outdoors.
"Teams and individuals can walk or run between 10 and 25km a day over two or three days in the beautiful but rugged terrain of the Dingle Peninsula."
All profits raised from the event go directly to the charity which supports the 300 people in Ireland living with EB (epidermolysis bullosa).
The charity provides day-to-day help and support for EB patients and their families. It also funds research programmes to find better treatments and possible cures for EB.
The condition can range from mild to severe. Severe forms can be fatal in infancy or lead to dramatically reduced life expectancy, due to a range of complications from the disease.
Patients need wound care and bandaging for up to several hours a day and the condition tends to become increasingly debilitating and disfiguring over time.
Adult patients with severe forms are also extremely susceptible to an aggressive form of skin cancer.
There are currently no treatments or cure for EB.
