An emotional Graeme Souness has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson donated £20,000 towards his remarkable fundraiser for Debra UK.
At the age 70, Souness completed a brutal swim across the English channel in 12 hours and 17 minutes on Sunday. The Liverpool legend has raised more than £1.2million for a charity that supports individuals and families affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
EB is a painful rare condition that causes blistering skin. Souness, who stepped down as a pundit for Sky Sports last month, was inspired to take on the gruelling challenge after meeting Isla Grist, a 14-year-old girl who is living with EB.
Souness completed the swim alongside five others, including Isla's dad Andy. The ex-footballer has made several media appearances to promote his fundraiser and revealed the donation from legendary former Manchester United boss Ferguson on Tuesday.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Souness said: "I hope I don’t embarrass him by saying this, but Alex Ferguson donated £20,000 after he quizzed me on it for half an hour. He’s got a heart of gold, that man. You have to search for it, but it’s there!"
Souness aimed to raise £1.1m for Debra UK, as he wore the No.11 during his iconic career. The Scot won five league titles and three European Cups during his time with Liverpool, among other honours. He also won trophies in Italy and Scotland.
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Souness boasted a reputation as a hardman during his career as a tough-tackling footballer, fierce manager and no-nonsense pundit. Yet, like Ferguson, the ex-midfielder has shown his heart of gold in recent weeks by raising a fortune for Debra UK.
The football icon broke down in tears when he delivered news of Ferguson's donation. Souness is determined to complete more challengers and continue raising money for charity, with his diary much freer after his Sky Sports departure.
Souness added: "The North Pole, something around the Atlantic, something like that. I’m in this now, I’m in this for the long-haul."
On his Donate as you Live page, Souness explained why he's raising money for Debra UK. He said: "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.
"I wanted to do something that could make a difference to Isla’s life and to the lives of so many others living with EB, and the slightly crazy idea of swimming the English Channel was suggested... Please join me in supporting Debra's A Life Free of Pain appeal."
Souness' former clubs have congratulated him on his achievement and donations are continuing to flood in. "What an effort," tweeted Rangers, while Liverpool added: "Well done to all involved, a great achievement."
