Hello,

My name is Barry Muldowney and I work for Verve The Live Agency.

I have three young children – George, Sam and Elizabeth who I love more than they will ever know. With them in mind I have decided to take on a challenge next year to help less fortunate children. 

I was introduced to DEBRA Ireland a couple of years ago and the work it does to ease the suffering of the young children and their Mums & Dads affected by the genetic skin disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa. The children are called “Butterflies” because the disease makes their young skin so sensitive to touch that even a hug from a loving parent can cause them severe injury. Their paper-thin skin doesn’t protect them from the sun the way ours does and this causes huge pain and suffering during their short lives.

Every 48 hours, the Mums & Dads of the butterflies are forced to subject their babies to tortuous hours of bandage changes. Most of their little bodies are covered in bandages from the moment they are born, and they face extensive surgery at the beginning of their little lives because the skin inside their bodies is just as brittle as the skin on the outside. Families are left to provide and care for themselves under this extraordinary burden with very little governmental support. Thank God we have Crumlin Children’s Hospital, who provide the children with care when things get particularly difficult.

As a parent, I find it difficult to comprehend the suffering both child and parents go through.

If you are lucky enough to have a child, try to imagine your little boy or girl crying in pain for hours every couple of days as you change their bandages or attempt the impossible job of alleviating their pain as you try to ignore their little tears.

This year, I’m joining a small team of fellow Fundraisers and making an expedition deep into the Arctic Circle to raise some funds for this most worthwhile of causes. We will brave the toughest conditions imaginable as a small sacrifice on my part in exchange for some small support (cash) on your part.

When you’re a butterfly you live every day as it’s your last. Let’s try to make every one of those days a tiny little better for the little angels? On behalf of the few hundred beautiful young children DEBRA help, thank you for your attention and thank you in advance for your support.

Barry