Graeme Souness breaks down in tears after learning how much he's raised for charity

An emotional Graeme Souness was in tears after he raised over £1 million for Debra UK – a charity that supports patients living with Epidermolysis Bullosa; a rare skin condition that causes fragile, blistering skin.

The 70-year-old raised the seven-figure sum after completing a 21-mile swim across the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team. It took a total of 12 hours and 17 minutes.

Souness was inspired to take on the mammoth challenge after meeting 14-year-old Isla Grist, a person he describes as an "inspiration" and "the most unique person I've ever met".

Grist suffers from the rare skin disease Epidermolysis bullosa. As a result, she must be wrapped from head to toe in bandages, which are changed three times a week in a painful procedure.

What an incredible achievement from Graeme Souness at 70 years old.

This clip of him explaining his reasons for undertaking such a mammoth task will leave you feeling nothing but respect for him. pic.twitter.com/S5qEpINbiP https://t.co/Ut3XRARovW

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) June 19, 2023

Since completing his swim of the English Channel, Souness has appeared on talkSPORT to speak about the feat.

In the chat, co-host Simon Jordan informs the former Liverpool midfielder that they managed to raise over 1.1 million for the charity Debra UK.

An emotional Souness then opens up on the impact this journey has had on many, including himself.

"Simon, the money will never be enough." Souness said. "You guys have witnessed what this disease is. There's three things, we've earned them (Debra) money, which will enable the scientists to re-purpose the drugs.

"And then there's been awareness which is great, because people can now get involved, want to get involved, offering to work in our shops up and down the country.

"Just contacting Debra and saying, 'how can I get involved in this?'"

He added: "It's made me realise we're all so selfish, I'd like to think it's going to make me a better person, you can talk to me in six month's time.

"But it's made me look at things very different. I've always been fairly good at realising I've been so lucky in my life.

"This has just maybe compounded that, it's a true wake-up call from when I was introduced to it.

"And I'm in for as long as they want me to be in it."

Souness, who completed the swim in 12 hours and 17 minutes alongside five friends, also revealed that former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a generous donation to the charity.

“I hope I don’t embarrass him by saying this, but Alex Ferguson donated £20,000 after he quizzed me on it for half an hour,” he said.

"He’s got a heart of gold, that man. You have to search for it, but it’s there!”

21 miles, completed it! ✅

A huge thank you to Graeme, Andy, Sean, Steph, Rob and Andy M for taking on this challenge to help #StopThePain for people living with EB.

Donate today and help us find treatments for this cruel condition: https://t.co/PULH0KGBo0 🦋#GraemeSouness pic.twitter.com/rC51aHIahS

— DEBRA UK (@CharityDEBRA) June 18, 2023

You can donate to the Debra UK charity HERE.