Graeme Souness completes the English Channel swim for charity

The 70-year-old has raised more than £1million for Debra UK, a nationwide charity that supports individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

EB is a rare condition that causes painful, blistering skin, and Souness said he was inspired to take up the challenge after spending time with a good friend, Isla Grist, 14, who lives with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

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Along with five friends, including Isla’s father Andy, the former Scottish footballer completed the challenging swim in 12 hours and 17 minutes on Sunday, according to the Debra UK Twitter page.

“Since spending time with Isla and her family, I have seen firsthand the extreme pain and daily challenges this devastating condition causes,” Souness said on the donation page for the challenge.

“I wanted to do something that could change Isla’s life and the lives of so many other people living with EB and I had this crazy idea of ​​swimming the English Channel.

“Now I’m not the type to shy away from a challenge, but this is all new to me; Although I’ve lived by the sea for the last 16 years I’ve never been there and so this will surely be the toughest challenge I’ve ever taken on.

“However, I am determined to finish the swim.

“Together with Isla’s father Andy and the rest of the team, we will rise to the challenge of raising awareness of EB and providing support in finding the treatments that are so desperately needed.”

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After spending most of his football career with the number 11, Souness set himself a target of raising £1.1million for Debra UK.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a form of EB that causes the skin to become extremely fragile – often with extensive blistering and sores.

To learn more about the challenge and Debra UK, visit Graeme Souness’ fundraising page