Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has said he is facing his “toughest challenge yet” as he issued an “urgent” plea to raise funds for people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
The 73-year-old, who won five league titles and three European Cups at Anfield in the late 1970s and early 1980s, will climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and Scafell Pike over three days, alongside three high-altitude swims.
Three peaks, three swims, three days
Souness said: “This September, I’m taking on my toughest challenge yet for everyone living with the agony of EB.
“Three peaks. Three open-water swims. Three days. It will be brutal – but nothing compared to the pain children and adults with EB face every day.
“We urgently need to raise at least £500,000 to help fund another clinical trial and move closer to securing effective EB drug treatments for each of the main forms of EB.
“Please sponsor me. Every donation and every share matters. Please help make every step and every stroke count.”
Supporting DEBRA UK's Stop the Pain appeal
EB, also known as “butterfly skin”, is a group of rare, painful genetic skin conditions that can cause the skin to blister and tear at even the slightest touch.
Souness has already raised millions of pounds for DEBRA UK through fundraising efforts, which have included several swims across the English Channel. His latest challenge forms part of the charity’s £20 million Stop the Pain appeal, which aims to fund better care for those with the condition while driving the development of treatments that could heal wounds faster and reduce pain.
Souness has worked with young Isla Grist, who has the condition, since 2023. Speaking previously, he said: “I was truly blown away by the support we got back in 2023.
“I had to do something for my wee friend, Isla, and the thousands of other children and adults affected by this cruel condition.
“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 if we are to secure effective treatments for every form of EB, treatments that could help stop the extreme pain of EB.”
Souness also won the FA Cup as Liverpool manager in 1992 and later became a regular pundit on football TV coverage. His challenge can be supported at www.debra.org.uk/graeme.
