Football legend Graeme Souness is set to swim the Channel in a bid to raise £1.1million for sufferers of a rare and painful skin condition.
The former Liverpool and Scotland captain, 70, said he was determined to take on the 21-mile crossing after meeting Isla Grist, 14.
She has epidermolysis bullosa, also known as “butterfly skin”, which causes it to tear or blister at the slightest touch.
Souness fought back the tears as he told BBC Breakfast: “This is a very special young lady you’re in the company of, she really is.
“She gets me in tears every time I’m in her company.
“It’s the most horrendous disease. If you’re inflicted by it you must wake up every morning and say, ‘Why me?’.”
Scottish Highlander Isla’s father Andy will join Souness for the swim on June 18 in aid of butterfly skin charity DEBRA’s A Life Free of Pain campaign.
