Souness cross-channel swim raises £4.5m for drug trials

Graeme Souness says he gets emotional when speaking about the issue

A cross-channel swim by football legend Graeme Souness has helped raise £4.5m for children affected by a rare and painful skin disorder.

The 70-year-old completed the relay challenge in June after meeting Isla Grist, 14, who has epidermolysis bullosa, also known as butterfly skin.

He was part of a team of six, which also included Isla's father, Andy.

The star said he plans more challenges to reach a £5m target to fund drug trials by butterfly skin charity DEBRA.

Graeme Souness said he is in regular contact with Isla Grist

The former sportsman and TV pundit told BBC South Today: "It's a truly horrific disease - it's the children who are afflicted by it and every waking day is a nightmare for them.

"What we are trying to do through DEBRA is find a way to bring some pain relief to them.

"We have to help these children."

Mr Souness said he is in regular contact with Isla, whose body is permanently bandaged and in constant pain.

"She bullies me," he said.

"When we got off the boat when we swam the channel, and her first words were, 'what kept you, then?'"

The cross-channel relay team included Isla's father Andy Grist (left) and Graeme Souness

The former Scotland and Liverpool captain, who lives in Sandbanks, Dorset, said he was already planning his next challenge.

He said: "I can't announce it now but we're about to do something where it's going to push me to the limits.

"I'm slightly concerned - the guys I'm with are ex-military and it's a tough school.

"I'm totally out of the comfort zone but I'm enjoying it."

Mr Souness said he would continue to raise funds and awareness.

"If you witnessed it, it would change your life," he said.

"It's just heartbreaking to see. I get emotional when I speak about it."

DEBRA, which is based in Bracknell, Berkshire, supports about 5,000 people in the UK who live with the incurable, genetic condition.

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