BBC Breakfast interview with Graeme Souness, Isla and Andy Grist, on swimming the channel for DEBRA

Football legend, and TV pundit, Graeme Souness, is playing his part to stop the pain of EB this summer by swimming the English Channel!

Graeme, who has faced many a foe during his sporting career, will be taking on the formidable 21-mile stretch of water that lies between Dover and Calais. Although Graeme won’t be on his own (he’ll be part of a 6-person team), he’ll still need all his physical and mental strength and the support of as many people back home as possible to get him to the shores of France, in a swim that could take up to 16 hours!

The motivation for Graeme to do the swim and play his part is personal. Graeme’s good friend is Isla Grist, 14, who is living with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, Graeme explains more:

“From the time I have spent with Isla and her family, I have seen first-hand the extreme pain this devastating condition causes and the daily challenges it creates for them. I wanted to do something that could make a difference to Isla’s life and to the lives of so many others living with EB and the slightly crazy idea of swimming the English Channel was suggested!

Now I’m not one to walk away from a challenge but this is all new to me; despite living by the sea for the past 16 years, I’ve never been in it, and Isla is the only reason I did. Alongside Isla’s dad, Andy, and the rest of the team, I am determined to complete the Channel crossing, to raise awareness of EB, and to raise the funds that DEBRA so desperately needs. Please support me, every pound raised gets us one step closer to a world where no one suffers with the pain of EB”.

[johnadams]

As A Celtic and as a Man Utd fan from Ireland my opinion on Souness has changed fair play to him doing this challenge on raising this awareness on this horrific disease poor girl.

[danielgreen]

I won £761 on the football this weekend ( liverpool getting a late equaliser did it, lol) and its going to this worthy cause. My 2 young boys agree with me. Well done lads. #inspiration

[robertallan]

Mr Souness....you've always been one of my heroes, but wow.
Your heart is bigger than I ever imagined.
God bless you ❤

[johnnyd]

This made me cry and realise my own difficulties are not so difficult. What an amazing and wonderful young girl. Massive respect to the father and Souness. Souness was already a legend but even more so now.

[onegnation-mrrs]

Football talk is football talk. It’s a game of opinion. But here is where it counts. Fair play to Souness, you can tell he genuinely cares here. Goes to show the football-related matters we all get frustrated and argue about are very insignificant when compared to a day in this girl's life!

[crs]

What a brave little trooper she is. Heart goes out to her! Full respect to Graham Souness also. 💙 WATP

[nocode]

As a celt I can't praise him enough a genuine gentleman he did this to help this poor poor wee girl if it doesn't pull at your Hart I don't know what will!!! My hat off to you!! As for the wee girl I'm Hart broken for you and your family your such a strong brave wee fighter God love you wee pal!!!👏👏👏👏👏🤗🤗

[Gazza]

All the best to Isla and her family and all the other sufferers of this horrible disease
Mr Souness I always held you in high esteem but you've just blown me away again with how good a human you are
God bless you all👍

[ArmyofLove]

Graham is a lovely man.
In the last few years I've seen such a genuine pundit that cares deeply about things.

[THEDOGSBALLARDS]

She is so AMAZING and big up her Dad and THE LEGEND Souness, well done guys

[barryosullivan]

Brilliant cause Greame. Horrendous disease but Isla's courage and attitude is humbling and remarkable.

[colingeddes]

All the best to isla and Graeme souness is a gentleman and a real mans man . Kudos to him.

[neilscousejones]

As a big Liverpool fan I watched this man through the 80's what a tremendous player he was for the Club. Seeing this video shows what a Legend he is as a person. My Expectations of him now has even more gone of the scale as a man and a person, Absolutely fantastic Greame seeing you want to make a difference and help these kids with a terrible disease. Very moving footage. YNWA

[Remnants]

Genuinely moving to hear such a strong Man (who has been through a lot himself) being so passionate in his determination to help these young children, indeed anyone having to endure such a dreadful disease. I don't know the young girl as Graeme does, but his own reaction to just being in her presence speaks volumes. Bless her heart and Graeme's too for highlighting what is literally an unbearable burden for all concerned.

[eddt]

I'm lost for words. That poor little girl. I've never heard of this illness. Share with everyone you can people, let's all donate what we can. Be it little or small. Graham really is a passionate man. I hope all goes well. ❤

[ayeehdilly]

I had never heard of this until I heard Graeme speaking of it, using his profile for good. Amazing work guys on raising awareness and good luck on your challenge.

[alanmayes]

What an amazingly brave young lady, she, her family and Souness are an inspiration to us all.

[JP-rvhg]

How inspirational! Thank you Isla, her family and Graeme for raising the awareness. I will donate now. 🙏

[stevieframe]

Finally Souness has met someone as tough as him.

Go Isla.

[traceygrant]

Brilliant we need more Graeme Souness in this world ❤