Liverpool icon and former manager Graeme Souness has completed his swim across the English channel for the charity, DEBRA, who offer support to individuals living with Epidemolysis Bullosa (EB).
The Scot made his way onto the 21-mile journey and hit the stunning landmark of raising £1m for the organisation. EB is a rare condition that causes painful, blistering skin for which there is currently no cure.
Souness came across the story and it struck a chord with the former Sky Sports pundit who took on the challenge after spending time with Isla Grist, 14, who is living with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
Last month, the 70-year-old featured on BBC's flagship breakfast show in an emotional interview detailing Isla's battle plus the horrors that she has had to endure during her early years.
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On Sunday, joined by five friends Souness completed the challenging swim in 12 hours and 17 minutes after setting out at 9pm on Saturday before completing the mammoth task by lunchtime on Sunday.
Tonight, he will attend a reception at the House of Commons with the Griest family as they lobby members of Parliament for support.
"The first hour we did was in the pitch black and although all of us had done some swimming in the dark in early morning time during the winter months, it didn’t really prepare us for this first hour," he said speaking on BBC Radio 5Live.
"It’s all about getting into a rhythm and, because you’re in the darkness all the time and checking where the boat is, it is really tough. I struggled (for) the first hour.
"The second hour was in daylight, in which I have done most of my training the past nine months and I handled that a lot better. I’m elated and delighted and feel really chuffed we’ve done it.
"But I’m really tired. We’re on a small boat and there hasn’t been any space to get any sleep.
"The guys I’ve been swimming with for the last nine months, I’d like to give enormous credit to, because without them I couldn’t have done it."
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