Graeme Souness was part of a six-person relay team who took turns completing the 21-mile crossing in 12 hours and seven minutes – and they partied in the waves after reaching the French coast
Football legend Graeme Souness swam across the channel today and is on track to reach his £1.1million charity goal.
The former Scotland and Liverpool captain is raising money for patients with a rare and painful skin disease.
He was part of a six-man relay team who took turns completing the 21-mile crossing in 12 hours and seven minutes.
And they partied in the surf after they hit the French coast.
Former hardman Souness, 70, said he was determined to accept the challenge after meeting 14-year-old Isla Grist from the Black Isle, near Inverness.
She suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, also known as butterfly skin, which causes the skin to crack or blister at the slightest touch. Fighting back tears, he told BBC Breakfast last month: “She’s a very special young woman to be with.
“She makes me cry every time I’m with her.
“It’s the most terrible disease. When it affects you, you have to wake up every morning and ask yourself: ‘Why me?'”
Souness, now a pundit, wore the number 11 shirt during his playing days and has set himself the goal of raising £1.1m for DEBRA’s ‘A Life Without Pain’ campaign. He said: “I can’t thank the people who donated enough. I know how difficult it is. We are in crisis.
Life is hard. We get donations from people who realize how bad this thing is. “Hopefully millions of people now know what the condition is and can call the charity and offer help. It really made us feel like we accomplished something. It’s really moving.
Around 5,000 people in the UK have the incurable genetic condition.
Souness said it was “the cruellest disease there is”. He was photographed having dinner with Isla the night before the swim.
He is Vice President of DEBRA, the charity that supports people with EB. Isla has had the disease since birth and has to be wrapped head to toe in bandages which are changed three times a week. She has constant pain and blisters outside and inside her body.
Souness said: “I would say the most amazing young person I have ever met in my life. Every time I am around her she makes me so emotional.”
Isla’s father, Andy, also participated in the cross-channel challenge.
Souness, who trained to swim for nine months, said:
“It wasn’t easy at first and a few times I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew.” The guys I date are ex military. It was tough, but I loved every minute of it.
