Footballing icon Graeme Souness has swam the English Channel, and put himself in good stead to smash his £1.1million charity target. The former Newcastle United boss is currently raising cash for sufferers of a rare and painful skin condition, collecting £1,038,634.48 at the time of writing.
He was part of a six-strong relay who took it in turns to tackle the 21-mile swim, completing the feat in just 12 hours and seven minutes. Upon completion, the gang celebrated in style on the French coast.
The 70-year-old Scot said that he was determined to tackle the task after meeting 14-year-old Isla Grist from Black Isle, near Inverness. The teen has epidermolysis bullosa, also known as butterfly skin, which causes it to tear or blister at the softest of touches.
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The Mirror reports that he fought back the tears as he told BBC Breakfast last month: "This is a very special young lady you’re in the company of. She gets me in tears every time I’m with her. It’s the most horrendous disease. If you’re inflicted by it you must wake up every morning and say, ‘Why me?'"
Former Liverpool and Scotland captain Souness, now a pundit, wore the 11 shirt during his playing days, and set a £1.1million cash target for DEBRA's A Life Free of Pain campaign. Speaking on the cause, he said: "I can’t thank the people who have donated enough.
"I know how difficult it is. We are in a crisis. Life is tough. We’ve been getting donations from people who realise how evil this thing is.
"Hopefully millions of people now know what the condition is and can phone up the charity and offer some help. It’s given us a real feeling that we’ve achieved something. It’s really heartwarming."
Around 5,000 people across the United Kingdom live with the incurable genetic condition, which Souness dubs 'the cruellest disease out there'. He was pictured having dinner with Isla the night before the swim.
She has had her condition since birth, and has to be wrapped head to toe in bandages, which are changed three times each week. She is in a constant state of pain, with blisters both inside and outside her body. Souness said: "I would say the most impressive young person I’ve ever come across in my life. Every time I’m in her company, she makes me so emotional."
Isla's dad Andy also took part in the cross channel challenge. Of the swim, Souness - who had trained for nine months prior - said: "It wasn't easy and a couple of times I did question if I’d bitten off more than I could chew.
"The guys I’m with are ex-military. It’s been tough but I’ve enjoyed every minute."
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