Graeme Souness CBE has told how he climbed Ben Nevis despite picking up an injury during the ascent – in order to complete his toughest ever DEBRA UK challenge.
The footballing legend, who is 73, is vice president of the charity.
Along with former-Celtic captain Scott Brown, he took up the challenge of three peaks, three open-water swims and three punishing days across England, Wales and Scotland this month.
The fundraiser hopes to raise at least £500,000 for people living with the agony of epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Souness revealed: “Scotland was tough – the weather was brutal. It was the hardest of the three for sure and much more difficult than I thought it would be.
“I picked up a little injury, a twinge in my hip pretty far into the Nevis climb which was a concern, but knowing why we were there, why we were doing this, and that Isla was at the bottom of Nevis waiting for us… how could I not plough on?
“It was painful and uncomfortable but a tiny fraction of what Isla and anyone with EB copes with every second of every day. So, we just got on with it.”
Brown, 41, added: “The weather was rough, so we didn’t have to worry about other climbers, with the wind, rain and fog most were sensible enough not to risk it.
“We were not stopping for anything. Seeing Isla before we started the climb made sure of that, she was inspirational for us all and especially Graeme, their bond is incredible.
“He won’t like me saying this, but Graeme picked up an injury and, in the conditions we were facing, he probably should have stopped.
“That wasn’t happening, no matter what – it wasn’t even up for discussion.
“It was pretty slippy and there were a few dodgy moments, but we helped each other through the rough bits.
“I never thought we’d be on the same team for anything, but that’s how desperate the need is for people living with EB.”
EB, also known as “butterfly skin”, is a group of rare, devastating and intensely painful genetic skin conditions that cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch.
For children and adults living with EB, everyday life can mean relentless pain, open wounds and constant fear of injury.
Recounting Thursday’s climb, Souness said: “It was genuinely blizzard conditions up Nevis and there were a few moments with real safety concerns – but I wasn’t stopping for anything.
“Doing this final leg, the toughest and longest one, with Scott was special too.
“Scott has really put his heart and soul into this charity, not just this challenge – we’re on the same team now, Team Debra.
“The two of us coming together to battle this horrible condition hopefully shows we all need to collaborate to help those in real need.
“We faced hazardous conditions, horizontal rain and wind blasting us, thick fog and very slippery underfoot so we needed our poles – and it really was a team effort supporting each other.
“And it was all worth it to see Isla smile.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far and please do keep donating if you can. This fight is bigger than all of us.”
Funds raised will support DEBRA UK, the national EB charity, helping to improve quality of life today and accelerate research into potentially life-changing drug treatments.
This tough new challenge forms a key part of DEBRA UK’s urgent £20m Stop the Pain appeal, which aims to fund better care now and drive the development of treatments that could heal EB wounds faster, reduce pain and itch, and bring hope of a future free from the agony of EB.
Souness was joined by former Scotland international and Celtic captain and fellow DEBRA Ambassador, Brown; members of the EB community, including Kevin Kealy, who has EB simplex and completed every leg, and Calum Blackman, dad to three-year-old Albi, who has recessive dystrophic EB.
Talking about the challenge, Souness said: “We did it. After three punishing days, three mountains and three open-water swims, the team and I completed our toughest challenge yet.
“It was brutal. The climbs punished our legs, the cold water took our breath away and every stage pushed us to the limit. But humour, humility and the EB community kept us moving.
“I struggled with leg pain but the pain passed. For people living with EB — “butterfly skin”, so fragile that the slightest touch can cause blistering and wounds — it does not. They face relentless pain, itch and hours of treatment every day.
“The public’s generosity has brought our £500,000 target closer and reaching it could help DEBRA UK fund another clinical trial for a life-changing EB treatment.
“Thank you to everyone who has donated for standing with our team, DEBRA UK and everyone living with EB. Your support means more than I can say.”
The challenge follows Graeme’s previous fundraising efforts for DEBRA UK, including a 30-mile English Channel swim in 2023 with Team DEBRA UK, which raised more than £1.2 million and helped boost the charity’s ‘A Life Free of Pain’ appeal.
In 2025, Graeme and his team completed another epic endurance swim across the Channel and back, raising almost £730,000 for further drug testing and reaching an estimated 10 million people through national media coverage. Together, these challenges have raised vital funds, increased awareness and helped more people affected by EB discover DEBRA UK’s support.
To sponsor Graeme, search ‘DEBRA’ to donate or visit www.debra.org.uk/graeme
Donations could help fund potentially life-changing research, improve quality of life for people with EB, and bring effective treatments closer.
Brown said: “I was pretty laid back about the physical challenge we were taking on but it was hard. That doesn’t matter though.
“How could I complain about it? It was a day of exercise in the rain and cold. That is nothing when so many people are living with EB.
“It’s a terrible condition and it’s the reason we’re working together to raise awareness and money, trying to bring hope of a better future for EB families.
“I wish it didn’t exist – but it does, so we have to help. I couldn’t stand by and see suffering, in kids especially, and not try to do something.
“If you can donate, or just help spread the word, please do. We can’t fix this but we can help fund research to maybe find something that can.
“It’s a fight we have to win.”