Graeme Souness fights back tears after raising £1m in 12-hour charity swim

Graeme Souness fought back tears as he reflected on a 12-hour swim across the English Channel, which saw him raise £1million for charity. 

The former Liverpool star was one of six who made the voyage across the Channel on Sunday, raising money for Debra UK, a charity close to his heart, which helps people with the skin blistering condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa. 

Souness, 70, who is vice-president of the organisation, became emotional on talkSPORT when discussing his fundraising efforts with fellow Mail Sport columnist Simon Jordan.

Souness said: ‘Simon, the money will never be enough.’

He continued: ‘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.

Graeme Souness was emotional discussing his swim across the English Channel for charity

Souness, 70, raised over £1m for charity but he was emotional that money ‘is never enough’

‘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?”

Souness, who has undergone a triple heart bypass, set out from Dover around 9pm on Saturday and was finished by lunchtime the following day.

Alongside his fellow swimmers, he has raised in excess of £1million – smashing his target of £1.1m once Gift Aid is included. 

During his talkSPORT appearance he also revealed that legendary former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson donated £20,000 to the cause. 

It has been an experience that has consumed Souness emotionally and he hopes it has changed him for life.

‘It’s made me realise we’re all so selfish,’ he added. ‘I’d like to think it’s going to make me a better person, you can talk to me in six months.’ 

Souness has received lots of support before and after his mammoth fundraising efforts.

In a video message from the Scotland football team’s camp in Norway, prior to their 2-1 win, goalkeeping coach Chris Woods – who played under Souness at Rangers – said the national side wanted to ‘wish him the best of luck’ on his epic adventure. 

‘It’s a terrific gesture,’ said the ex-England international, ‘for a charity that I know means a lot to you.’

Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury also pledged his support. 

In a self-shot video, the Gypsy King said: ‘This is a special message to Andy, Graeme and all the team who are taking on the challenge of swimming across the Channel to raise money for Debra. 

‘We need to keep going and keep raising money for EB. Let’s fight it together. All the best, guys. Good luck!’

Olympian Rebecca Adlington, who helped Souness train for the event, also filmed a message of support, as did boxing promoter Frank Warren.

Spider-Man actor Tom Holland wished the swimmers well and said he was ‘proud’ of what they were attempting to achieve.

Souness said he had been ‘blown away’ by all the support. 

Speaking to Mail Sport ahead of the event, he said: ‘What I want to happen to tens of thousands of people is the same thing that happened to me. I got a punch on the nose that I’ll never ever forget.

Joined by five friends, the former Rangers and Liverpool icon completed the challenging swim in 12 hours and 17 minutes on Sunday, according to Debra UK’s Twitter page

Souness said he swam the ‘first hour in pitch black’ and found the challenge ‘really tough’

‘This is not about a one-week thing – please be supportive of Debra going forward. These kids need every single person who is willing to give them help. In whatever shape or form that comes in.

‘The children have no quality of life. And the impact on the families – I certainly couldn’t begin to imagine it.

‘As a parent, you want to protect them, you want to look after them. This is just the beginning. We’re in a war here, and this is just the beginning.’

To find out more on the challenge and Debra UK, visit Graeme Souness’ fundraising page.