Actor Colin Farrell paid a touching tribute to his close friend – on her “amazing” 40th birthday – and revealed he will run a marathon with her.

Emma Fogarty is Ireland’s longest living person battling the most serious type of the painful skin condition, ‘epidermolysis bullosa – EB’.

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The woman’s parents were told she would not live more than a week after she was born, but she celebrated her 40th birthday last month and is also a cancer survivor.

Farrellwho is set to star in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey next year alongside Margot Robbie and is also filming the Netflix thriller The Ballad Of A Small Player, will take part in the Dublin Marathon in October.

“The fact that I’ll be running the Dublin Marathon with my friend to celebrate her birthday is something I’m so excited about. He’s already won!” the actor pointed out.

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Emma’s friends who will be taking part in the Marathon hope that, with the public’s help, €400,000 will be raised for Debra, an NGO which helps 300 people in Ireland living with EB.

“Over the years, I have been fortunate to witness not only her courage and vulnerability, but also her humor, stubbornness and big heart.” Colin Farrell reported.