Football legend Graeme Souness plans to swim the English Channel to help people living with a rare skin condition.The former Liverpool and Scotland player fought back tears as he told the BBC that Epidermolysis bullosa was the “cruellest disease out there”. He was inspired to take on the 16-hour challenge after meeting Isla Grist from the Scottish Highlands.’It’s the cruellest, nastiest, disease.. this is a very special young lady and she gets me in tears every time’Former footballer Graeme Souness told #BBCBreakfast why he’s swimming the Channel to raise funds for the charity DEBRA – details on their website pic.twitter.com/2QUEoYfLaG— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 22, 2023 The 14-year-old’s condition, known as “butterfly skin”, causes the skin to tear or blister at the slightest touch.Souness, 70, described Isla as “the most unique person he ever met”. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: “She does this to me every time. She’s an inspiration to me – even at my age.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##The former TV pundit is aiming to raise £1.1m for the Debra charity, which supports Isla and about 5,000 people in the UK who currently live with the genetic condition. There is no cure although mild forms may improve with age.Isla has had her condition since birth and has to be wrapped head to toe in bandages. These are changed three times a week in a procedure that is extremely painful for her.##NAJAVA_MECA_7268643##Souness said he first became aware of the disease about five years ago. He said he had now become a mate with Isla, whose courage was an inspiration to him.”This disease… it’s the cruellest, nastiest disease. For someone so young to be so brave… and Isla’s aware of the impact this has on her mum and dad and she helps them,” he said, clearly struggling with his emotions.”This is a very special young lady you’re in the company of, she really is, and I am… she gets me in tears every time I’m in her company.”The teenager’s father Andy will swim alongside Souness and four other team members on the 21-mile journey from England to France, scheduled for 18 June.
