Football legend Graeme Souness has accomplished an incredible feat by swimming the English Channel and raising over £1 million to support individuals living with the rare skin condition Epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Souness, the former midfielder for Liverpool and Scotland, was motivated to take on this challenge after meeting 15-year-old Isla Grist, who resides in the Highlands.
During their regular visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Isla’s treatment, the ex-Rangers manager joined Isla and her mother Rachael, gaining a deeper understanding of life with EB.
Isla and Rachael openly shared their experiences of managing EB, which includes the arduous task of changing Isla’s dressings, often requiring the assistance of two individuals and consuming up to four hours of their time.
BBC Breakfast reporter John Maguire had the opportunity to accompany them and witness their journey firsthand.
Football legend Graeme Souness has gone above and beyond to make a significant impact by swimming the English Channel and raising an astonishing amount of money for Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients. His incredible achievement has resulted in more than £1 million in funds to support individuals living with this rare skin condition.
The inspiring story behind Souness’s determination lies in his encounter with 15-year-old Isla Grist, who resides in the Scottish Highlands. This meeting inspired the former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder to take on the daunting challenge of swimming across the English Channel, pushing himself to the limits for a cause close to his heart.
To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with EB, Souness joined Isla and her mother Rachael on their regular visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Isla receives treatment. This experience allowed the ex-Rangers manager to witness firsthand the difficulties and struggles that come with living with EB.
During their time together, Isla and Rachael openly shared their personal experiences, shining a light on the daily hardships they endure. One of the most demanding tasks is changing Isla’s dressings, which can be an incredibly time-consuming process. It often requires the assistance of two people and can take up to four hours to complete. This firsthand exposure to the realities of living with EB further fueled Souness’s determination to make a difference.
BBC Breakfast reporter John Maguire had the privilege of accompanying Souness, Isla, and Rachael during their journey, capturing their inspiring story. Through his reporting, Maguire had the opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with EB and the incredible efforts made by Souness to raise awareness and funds for this deserving cause.