Graeme Souness, the former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder, has announced plans to swim the Channel to raise money for Debra, a charity which supports people with EB (epidermolysis bullosa).
Otherwise known as “butterfly skin”, the rare and extremely painful genetic condition causes the skin to become fragile and tear or blister.
Souness gave his backing to the charity after meeting Isla Grist, a 14-year-old living with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. “From the time I have spent with Isla and her family, I have seen first-hand the extreme pain this devastating condition causes and the daily challenges it creates,” he said.
He is now set to undertake the 21-mile swim between Dover and Calais – which can take up to 16 hours – as part of a six-person team including Isla’s father, Andy. “This will certainly be the most difficult challenge I’ve ever taken on,” Souness added. “I am determined to complete the swim, though.