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06 Sept 2025

WATCH: Incredible mum abseils from roof of Croke Park to raise funds for sick daughter

Dubliner Rachel Connors undertook the challenge to raise funds for her child who suffers from a rare skin disease

A mum with a fear of heights has abseiled from the roof of Croke Park to raise funds for her daughter. 

Rachel Connors took on the challenge to raise money for Debra, the national charity which supports 12 year old Casey and up to 300 others living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) in Ireland. 

Casey battles the most severe form of EB and needs painful bandaging several times a week to cover blisters erupting on her skin, 70% of which is covered in open wounds. 

The Dublin mum-of-two and her sister Samantha were cheered on by relatives and friends as they took the 150ft plunge on Thursday (March 28) to raise awareness of the extremely painful, genetic skin condition. 

Speaking about the experience, Samantha said, "We were so nervous beforehand, we both felt sick, but we pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones and remembered why we were doing it. 

"It was a challenge for us to step off the edge but Casey faces challenges every day and she gets through it."

The sisters' abseil has so far raised over €2,500, with supporters encouraged to donate up until April 28. 

Rachel, who is also mum to Jayden (14), said, "Sometimes [Casey] goes through a down week and things can get very hard for her. 

"But then she’s back, and one day, hopefully, we can tell her there will be a cure but until then, we want her to do as much as she can to be like other children." 

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