Shay Doyle watched a television programme on Channel 4 ‘The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off’ and was so moved by what he saw that he wanted to help. He found out that 1 in every 18,000 newborn children in Ireland are affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) a distressing and painful genetic skin disorder causing skin layers and internal body linings to separate and blister at the slightest touch. EB can be fatal in early childhood.

Shay got in touch with Debra Ireland which is the charity researching the disease and they told him that they were organising Trek Mexico 2004 to raise much-needed funds. Shay and his friend Frankie King decided that they would try to raise the sponsorship money of €3,400 each for this very worthy cause. The trip to Mexico takes place in November 2004 and they need help to raise funds.

Sponsorship cards can be obtained from Shay at RDRD (01 667 7666). They would appreciate any fund-raising ideas that would help them in their mission to help the research done by Debra Ireland. Please telephone Ann Ingle at 01 667 3317 if you feel you can help them reach their target. We will let you know how near they are to their goal in the next edition of NewsFour.

More information about EB can be found on www.debraireland.org, telephone 6776855.