The Challenge: Graeme Souness, aged 71 (turning 72 around the time of the swim), will join a six-person relay team to swim the English Channel from England to France and back again in May 2025.
The Cause: Fundraising for DEBRA UK, the charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as 'butterfly skin'.
Fundraising Goal: Aiming to raise £750,000 to fund further clinical trials for potential EB treatments.
Inspiration: Souness was inspired by his friendship with Isla Grist, 14, who lives with EB.
Previous Success: In 2023, Souness and a team (including Isla's father) completed a one-way swim in 12 hours 17 minutes, raising over £1.5 million for DEBRA UK.
Why this matters: EB causes incredibly painful blistering and open wounds. Funds raised support research into potentially life-changing treatments, offering hope to thousands affected by this condition.
Graeme Souness, renowned for his formidable career with Scotland, Liverpool, and Rangers, is once again demonstrating his commitment beyond the football pitch. Two years after raising over £1.5 million by swimming the English Channel to France, he's doubling down on his efforts for DEBRA UK.
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic conditions that cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch, comparable to the fragility of a butterfly's wings. The condition causes lifelong pain and disability. Souness's connection to the cause deepened after meeting Isla Grist, inspiring his initial 2023 swim.
The £1.5 million raised previously allowed DEBRA UK to begin testing drugs that could significantly improve the lives of those with EB. However, more research is crucial. The upcoming return swim aims to raise an additional £750,000. Souness stated, "With the money raised DEBRA was able to start testing drugs which could be life-changing for people with EB, but there are many more drugs that they need to test... This is why we’re getting back in the water once again."
This new funding could support two more clinical trials, focusing on repurposing existing licensed drugs already used for conditions like severe eczema and psoriasis. These trials could potentially offer quicker relief for EB symptoms like blistering, wounds, and severe itching. The swim, scheduled for early May (weather permitting), represents a significant physical undertaking, especially as Souness will be 72.
Q: What is Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)?
A: EB, or 'butterfly skin', is a rare genetic condition causing extremely fragile skin that blisters and tears easily, leading to severe pain, open wounds, and disability.
Q: Why is Graeme Souness doing this swim?
A: He is raising funds and awareness for DEBRA UK to support research into treatments for EB, inspired by his young friend Isla Grist who lives with the condition.
Q: How can I support the cause?
A: You can learn more about EB at the DEBRA UK website (opens in new tab) and sponsor Graeme Souness and his team via their donation page (opens in new tab).
Understand the Impact: EB is a devastating condition with no cure, causing constant pain and affecting daily life profoundly.
Recognize the Effort: Souness's commitment highlights the significant physical and personal effort involved in driving awareness and funding for rare diseases.
Support the Cause: Even small donations contribute to vital research that could lead to life-changing treatments for thousands suffering from EB. Consider visiting the DEBRA UK website or the donation page.
Graeme Souness is undertaking an incredible challenge for a vital cause. Do you think initiatives like this are effective in raising awareness for rare conditions? Let us know your thoughts!
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Source 1: Graeme Souness embarks on 'biggest challenge yet' as Rangers legend prepares for epic feat - Daily Record (opens in new tab)
Source 2: Graeme Souness to Tackle English Channel Twice in New Mission for EB Awareness – BusinessMole (opens in new tab)
Source 3: DEBRA UK Charity Website (opens in new tab)
Source 4: Donation Page for Graeme's Swim (opens in new tab)
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