Graeme Souness was part of a six-strong relay team who took turns to tackle the 21-mile crossing in 12 hours and seven minutes – and they celebrated in the surf after reaching the French coast

Football legend Graeme Souness swam the Channel today and is on target to smash his £1.1million charity target.

The former Scotland and Liverpool captain is raising cash for sufferers of a rare and painful skin condition.

He was part of a six-strong relay team who took turns to tackle the 21-mile crossing in 12 hours and seven minutes.

And they celebrated in the surf after reaching the French coast.

Former hardman Souness, 70, said he was determined to take on the challenge after meeting Isla Grist, 14, from Black Isle, near Inverness.

She has epidermolysis bullosa, also known as butterfly skin, which causes it to tear or blister at the slightest touch. He fought tears as he told BBC Breakfast last month: “This is a very special young lady you’re in the company of.

Greame having dinner with Isla Grist the night before the swim

“She gets me in tears every time I’m with her.

“It’s the most horrendous disease. If you’re inflicted by it you must wake up every morning and say, ‘Why me?’”

Souness, now a pundit, wore the number 11 shirt during his playing days and set a target of raising £1.1million for DEBRA’s A Life Free of Pain campaign.

He said: “I can’t thank the people who have donated enough. I know how difficult it is. We are in a crisis. Life is tough. We’ve been getting donations from people who realise how evil this thing is.

The former footballer is raising cash for sufferers of a rare and painful skin condition

“Hopefully millions of people now know what the condition is and can phone up the charity and offer some help. It’s given us a real feeling that we’ve achieved something. It’s really heartwarming.”

About 5,000 people in the UK have the incurable genetic condition.

Souness, said it was “the cruellest disease out there”. He was pictured having dinner with Isla the night before the swim. He is vice president of DEBRA, the charity which supports people living with EB.Isla has had her condition since 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 and has to be wrapped head to toe in bandages, which are changed three times a week. She is in constant pain with blisters outside and inside her body.

Graeme before taking part in the challenge

Souness said: “I would say the most impressive young person I’ve ever come across in my life. Every time I’m in her company, she makes me so emotional.”

Isla’s father Andy also took part in the cross channel challenge.

Souness, who trained for nine months for the swim, said: “It wasn’t easy in the beginning and a couple of times I did question if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. The guys I’m with are ex-military. It’s been tough but I’ve enjoyed every minute.