Scotland soccer staff ship Graeme Souness luck video forward English Channel swim

Scotland’s soccer staff has wished Graeme Souness good luck forward of his bid to swim the English Channel to boost cash and consciousness for the battle in opposition to devastating pores and skin situation Epidermolysis bullosa, or ‘butterfly pores and skin’. 

Souness featured for his nationwide aspect between 1974 and 1984 and loved spells in Scottish soccer too, with stints at Rangers as each a participant and later a supervisor. 

The previous Liverpool midfielder is about to undertake the problem this weekend in try to boost £1.1million for the charity DEBRA’s A Life Free from Ache attraction, in tribute to his enjoying quantity, 11. 

The Mail Sport columnist was impressed into becoming a vocal campaigner for the battle in opposition to EB after assembly Isla Grist, a 14-year-old who has been troubled by the illness since beginning. 

However a lot of his followers and former colleagues have been touched by his campaign to boost consciousness for the illness utilizing his vital media platform, not least the nationwide staff had been he earned 54 caps throughout his enjoying profession. 

Graeme Souness has recieved good luck needs for his fundraising English Channel swim from Scotland’s soccer staff

Chris Wooden, who performed below Souness at Rangers, shared the message together with his former coach

Isla Grist lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a life-threatening situation that impacts the pores and skin

Chris Wooden, who performed below Souness at Rangers betwen 1986 and 1991 and now serves as Scotland’s goalkeeper coach, was filmed wishing his former supervisor luck, noting what a ‘terrific gesture’ the pundit is about to undertake. 

‘On behalf of everybody right here on the Scotland nationwide staff, I simply wished to want you one of the best of luck in your charity swim throughout the channel,’ Wooden mentioned. 

‘It’s a terrific gesture for a charity that I do know means loads to you, and I’m certain you’ll make some huge cash and consciousness for it. All one of the best, I hope you do it effectively.’

The 70-year-old will swim the Channel with a staff of six, together with Isla’s father Andy, in a transfer which sees extra as a ‘mission’ than anything. 

‘I had two to 3 months the place I used to be considering simply perhaps I’d bitten off greater than I may chew,’ he advised Mail Sport, ‘however then round month three or one thing, I began to get it. 

‘I now wish to do it ASAP. I don’t see this as a problem, that is our mission.

‘I used to be requested earlier than, you understand, about massive soccer matches. They had been the glory days. This isn’t about that. That is about getting the job accomplished.’

There are lots of several types of EB, which causes the pores and skin to tear or blister on the slightest contact, however Isla has one of many worst, and has already undergone 65 operations. 

Isla’s dad Andy Grist (left) is finishing the problem alongside Souness and 4 ex-marines

Souness is in unimaginable form at 70 and relishing the problem he has in entrance of him

The situation has left her in fixed ache, and completely bandaged to guard her pores and skin, with blisters inside and out of doors her physique making it a battle to even stroll. 

The previous Galatasaray supervisor had by no means heard of EB earlier than assembly Isla, however doing so had a profound impact on Souness, and he’s now vice chairman of DEBRA. 

Souness has been coaching within the frigid Dorset waters for his swim for the previous 9 months, and has helped elevate the profile of the fundraiser by showing on programmes together with BBC Breakfast. 

Forward of taking to the waters this weekend, as Souness has raised over £969,886.