Killashee General Manager Ger Alley Running Dublin City Marathon
In Aid of Emma Fogarty and DEBRA
We at Killashee, have been a long-standing supporter of DEBRA, the charity that supports people born with EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa). Dating back to 2012 when the beautiful Butterfly Garden dedicated to the charity, was officially opened on the grounds, the hotel has been closely associated to EB sufferer Emma Fogarty, who dreamed of having a garden in a location where those affected by EB could go to and enjoy peace and tranquillity.
This year, Emma celebrates her 40th Birthday which is nothing short of a miracle as people born with the same type of EB as Emma do not tend to live past 35 years of age. To mark this significant milestone, Emma announced that actor Colin Farrell would be running the Dublin City Marathon for DEBRA and now Colin will be joined by Killashee Hotel’s General Manager Ger Alley who has also signed up to run the Dublin City Marathon on Sunday 27th October in aid of Emma Fogarty and DEBRA. The plan is that Ger and Colin will join Emma who will be doing the final 4km of the marathon, one km for every decade of her life, and cross the finish line together.
The team at Killashee is also supporting DEBRA with a 40 Days of Fitness and fundraising starting on the 17th of September and finishing on the Marathon Day. This fitness challenge aims to get the team active for 40 days, whether that is walking, swimming, running, or cycling. Each day the team log their activities on a Strava app to keep track of their activities.
There is a long-standing connection with Ger, who is from Durrow and Emma who grew up in a neighbouring town in Co Laois. Emma’s father was Ger’s maths teacher in secondary school and being of similar ages, their paths often crossed. Ger was always aware of Emma’s condition and the challenges she faced and admired her strength and resilience.
Running the Dublin City Marathon has been a long-standing aspiration for Ger, who is passionate about fitness and believes in pushing himself to achieve new goals, especially within the demands of a busy schedule. The marathon represents not just a personal challenge, but the opportunity to participate in an iconic event which is truly motivating, and to see how far he can go.
Speaking about the response from friends, family and work colleagues Ger said, “When I said that I'd be running the Dublin City Marathon, their reaction was more of recognition than surprise. They know how much I thrive on challenges and how determined I am once I set my mind to something. The support I've received has been incredibly encouraging. It has been heartening to see how much they believe in me, giving me even more motivation to cross that finish line. I really want to contribute in whatever way to raise awareness of DEBRA and financially support the invaluable work the charity does. Maybe I can make it an annual event and some of the team join in!
As a father of four young children, balancing work, home life, and training keeps Ger on his toes. Fortunately, his wife Eimear shares his love for running and fitness, so they support each other in maintaining a healthy balance. Most of his training happens early in the morning or late at night when the house is quiet, and the kids are asleep. Ger is following a 12-week training plan designed by Emmet Quinlan, with whom he’s trained before. His plan includes three days a week in the gym, focusing on strength and conditioning, along with five days of running each week. The runs are a mix of long-distance endurance sessions and shorter, high-intensity sprints. This balanced approach ensures that he’s building the stamina and strength needed for marathon day, while also maintaining a diet that supports peak performance. Emmet’s guidance and approach to both nutrition and fitness has been invaluable, and he’s confident this plan will have him ready to give his best on race day.
As she celebrates her 40th birthday this year, Emma Fogarty continues to be a DEBRA Patient Ambassador representing the voice of the EB community. She is on a mission to transform the future for people who suffer with EB in Ireland, so that everyone with skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wing can live the longest, fullest life possible. Help make Emma’s birthday wish come true with a special donation. Together, we can create a brighter future for those with EB in Ireland!
Find out more information about Ger Alley’s Marathon Run and DEBRA and Emma’s Birthday wish visit:
- Donate to support the team by clicking HERE
- https://www.DEBRA.ie/emmas-40th-birthday-wish/
