Last Updated on: 29th April 2025, 04:53 pm
On Wednesday 30th April, football legend Graeme Souness CBE will once again brave the English Channel – not just to cross it, but to swim there and back, all in aid of the rare genetic condition known as EB.
Alongside a six-person team, Graeme is taking on the gruelling challenge to raise awareness for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), sometimes called “butterfly skin”, due to the skin’s extreme fragility. Even gentle contact can cause painful blisters or tears.
Graeme first made headlines in June 2023 when he completed a solo Channel swim, raising an impressive £1.5 million for DEBRA UK. His return to the water signals his continued dedication to making a tangible difference.
Commenting on his latest fundraising challenge, Graeme 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 UK was able to start testing drugs which could be life-changing 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. This is why we’re getting back in the water once again. It’s going to be tough; I’m 71 now and it’s double the distance, but I know we can do this, we must do this, we must be the difference for EB”.
The swim will begin at 11:30am from Dover Harbour. The goal is to raise £750,000 – funding that could launch two vital clinical trials aimed at alleviating EB’s most painful symptoms, from blistering to persistent wounds and itching.
To learn more, visit www.debra.org.uk or sponsor Graeme at www.give.as/debra.
