Celtic icon Scott Brown and Rangers legend Graeme Souness back campaign fighting painful skin disease
Graemen Souness was inspired to do his own challenge by his young friend Isla Grist, who suffers from the agonising EB condition - known as the 'butterfly disease'.
Old Firm legends Graeme Souness and Scott Brown have bridged the Glasgow football divide to support Scots fighting a painful skin disease.
Former Gers boss Souness swam the Channel last week for EB charity DEBRA – and now he's asking everyday people to sign up to JOIN TEAM EB and do their own challenge.
Charity ambassador Scott Brown, who starred for Celtic, is also taking part in the challenge and is asking other Scots to join in.
DEBRA are urging Scots to do any challenge - a run, walk, cycle, swim, dance, or something else physical for their summer campaign, backed by the Daily Record.
Graeme was inspired to do his own challenge by his young friend Isla Grist, who suffers from the agonising EB condition - known as the 'butterfly disease'.
Graeme said: 'I want to thank everyone who has supported our challenges – and also invite you all to join in, helping to raise vital funds and awareness to help people like Isla through the pain of EB.
'The challenge we faced was tough, but everyday life is much tougher with EB. So I hope lots of people reading this will get on board and JOIN TEAM EB – you can sign up to do any sort of challenge you want.
'It's hard pushing through a physical or mental challenge, but you feel a great sense of achievement and it makes you really think about how lucky you actually are in day to day life.
'I hope lots of you will join us to show support for people like my friend Isla living with EB – and hopefully you will enjoy the experience too.'
Graeme again took on a gruelling swim for DEBRA – but this time doubled the distance.
'We completed the 59 (nautical) miles of the English Channel, to France and back, landing back to English shores on the Thursday.
'I was in a pretty bad way that night, still trying to recover from the seasickness, heat exhaustion and dehydration but woke on Friday feeling a bit more like myself.
'I'm carrying a few aches and pains but it's nothing compared to what Isla and others like her go through every minute of every day.'
Graeme admits he was struggling at the mid point of the marathon swim – but speaking with Isla got him through it.
'I was seriously flagging in the middle but a call from Isla really gave me the boost (and perspective!) I needed to forge on. She was having her gruelling five-hour bandage change but typically for her, she still wanted to call me to spur me on.
'This is why we are doing this – and it's why we are now asking anyone who wants to push themselves for a brilliant, really important cause to JOIN TEAM EB.
'It's open to everyone, we want to have a real spirit of unity behind DEBRA to one day find a cure for EB – everybody is welcome.'
DEBRA ambassador Scott Brown is proud to support the charity and is fully behind the summer challenges campaign as we work to raise funds and awareness to help those living with EB.
Scott is working on ideas for his own challenge in support of DEBRA – and hopes to encourage Scots to JOIN TEAM EB.
Scott said: 'I don't think I'll be swimming the Channel but I'm definitely looking at ideas to do a challenge of my own for DEBRA this summer.
'It's amazing to see how people can push themselves, the power of inspiration and of wanting to help.
'What Graeme has done is incredible – but the idea now is that everyone can be a hero, everyone can sign up and support the team to help people who really need it.
'That's really exciting and honestly any sort of challenge people feel they want to do for us is amazing – you don't have to do something crazy, it can be as big or as small as you feel is right.
'It's about welcoming everyone together to one big team to help people who really face ordeals and challenges every second of every day of their lives.
'That's why I am part of Team EB and why I hope more and more people will get involved, so we can create something really special.'
Scott has a few ideas already for his own TEAM EB challenge – and it seems the first fundraisers to sign up have caught his eye with their crazy idea.
'Whatever it is, I will take on something that pushes me and makes me fight through struggle – it's something I have always done and always will.
'I hope the people of Scotland will get behind us and JOIN TEAM EB – kids like Isla deserve a shot at a better life with our help.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Boxing tonight: TV channel, live stream, fight card and ringwalk times
Fabio Wardley will take on Justis Huni in his hometown of Ipswich for a shot at the interim WBA heavyweight title, but a stacked card brings with it a host of other entertaining fights The vacant interim WBA heavyweight title will be at stake when Fabio Wardley faces Justis Huni on Saturday. And the former will boast a major advantage as Portman Road, home of his beloved Ipswich Town, plays host to a stacked evening of boxing action. Both Wardley (18-0-1) and Huni (12-0) will put their undefeated records on the line in pursuit of what would be either fighter's biggest accolade to date. Hometown hero Wardley already holds the Commonwealth and WBA Continental heavyweight belts but seeks to strengthen his bid for a world title come Saturday. Australian Huni will fight outside his home country for just the third time, hoping to stretch a streak of three consecutive TKO wins. The 26-year-old previously fought on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's Saudi Arabian showdown with Francis Ngannou, where he beat South African Kevin Lerena via unanimous decision. Eight months have passed since Wardley was last in the ring against Frazer Clarke in a retribution showdown. And the 30-year-old made no mistakes in Riyadh last October when he finished the fight in the first round after the pair drew seven months prior. Wardley's co-manager, Dillian Whyte, was scheduled to fight on Saturday's bill put pulled out just days out from the card. And Queensberry promoter Frank Warren confirmed the boxer did so after being offer "a big fight in August," which is yet to be revealed. Nonetheless, there remains plenty of reason to tune in for the punch-up at Portman Road. And Mirror Sport provides all the need-to-know information you need to not miss a minute. What time does Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni start in the UK? Saturday's fights will start with a four-fight preliminary card featuring a host of English prospects. That portion of the evening will start at around 5pm UK time. Meanwhile, the main card gets underway at 7pm when Lillie Winch and Katerina Dvorakova open proceedings in a featherweight fixture. That will be the first of five fights on the card, culminating in Wardley's title clash against Huni. The ringwalks for that fight aren't expected to take place until around 10pm, though that could be subject to change. And fans won't want to adjust their televisions considering Wardley ended his last fight against Clarke in less than three minutes. How to watch Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni on TV and live stream DAZN will be responsible for broadcasting the action from Suffolk as part of the new deal agreed with Queensberry from this year. And you won't need a TV to tune in, given DAZN will also stream the event live, though you'll require a valid subscription to access the fights. Coverage of the event will begin at 4.30pm on DAZN. Meanwhile, the broadcast for the main card will get up and running at 6.30pm. Full fight card
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Aspiring dentist who fled Taliban builds new life in Glasgow
Shakiba Azim, who left her home country four years ago, is now working towards her dream career by volunteering at NHS Golden Jubilee. She said: "When I came here, I realised I finally had the freedom and the right to follow my dream." 'Back in Afghanistan, I was offered a place at university to study dentistry, but it was too far from home and, as a girl without a male relative, I wasn't allowed to go." "Volunteering at NHS Golden Jubilee has been my way of starting again and working towards that goal.' In 2021, Shakiba was working as a journalist. This placed her family at significant risk when the Taliban came back to power. They fled the country for Pakistan before applying for a humanitarian visa to the UK, eventually settling in Glasgow. She said: "I lost everything overnight. "Because of my job, my family and I were at risk. "We escaped to Pakistan and applied for a visa. "After two years, we arrived in the UK." "I remember Googling it and being nervous about the Scottish accent, but when we got here, we found the people so kind and helpful. "I fell in love with Scotland." Shakiba is now building a new future in the country she calls home, where she lives with her mother and younger sister. Her sister is also an outpatient support volunteer in the radiology department at NHS Golden Jubilee. Both are completing English language courses to help them begin their next step into higher education. In a few weeks, they will move on to new science-based courses at college. Shakiba said: "We're working hard to build our future. 'Volunteering has been a great experience. "Everyone has been so supportive and kind. "I'm so grateful to be part of this team. "Volunteering here has helped me develop skills, build my confidence, and understand how healthcare works in Scotland. "It's also shown me how much I enjoy helping people.' "This country gave me a second chance. "I want to stay here and give something back.' As part of Volunteer Week 2025, NHS Golden Jubilee is recognising the contributions of its volunteers. The NHS board, which has 50 volunteers in various patient care support roles, has signed Volunteers Scotland Volunteer Charter. It is committed to being a Volunteer Charter Champion to recognise and celebrate the dedication of its volunteers. NHS Golden Jubilee has signed the Volunteers in Scotland Volunteer Charter to commit to celebrating its volunteers (Image: NHS Golden Jubilee) Maureen Franks, volunteer manager, said: "Volunteers like Shakiba are at the heart of our volunteering community. "Her story is inspiring, showing the power of resilience, and we are proud to support her journey and are lucky to have her as part of Team Jubilee. Tosh Lynch, head of Spiritual Care and Volunteer Services, said: 'As an organisation, we understand that our volunteers support us to enhance the patient and visitor experience through a variety of services such as Pastoral Care and Patient Peer Support. 'By providing quality, safe, effective, and person-centred care our volunteers play an important role in enhancing the hospital experience for every patient or visitor and in shaping future services.' More information on how to become a volunteer at NHS Golden Jubilee can be found on the hospital's website.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Medal awarded day of Bradford City stadium fire up for sale
Bradford City defender Tony Clegg's winner medal is set to be sold at McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow on June 19 as part of its Sporting History Auction. Tony was part of the club's 1984/85 Third Division title-winning team. Read more: Rangers legend Davie Cooper memorabilia to be auctioned The season ended in heartbreak on May 11, 1985, when the Valley Parade fire claimed the lives of 56 fans and injured hundreds more. Tony said: "This medal represents the pinnacle of my footballing career, but it's impossible to separate it from the heartbreak we all experienced that day. "I've kept it for four decades, and I now feel the time is right to pass it to someone who understands both the pride and the pain tied to that season." The fire, which started during the match against Lincoln City, is still one of the most tragic days in British sporting history. (Image: Supplied) Brian Clements, managing director at McTear's, said: "This is not just a medal, it's a deeply emotional artifact from a defining moment in English football history. "We are honoured to handle its sale." Tony's time at Bradford City included one of the most unusual moments in the club's history. Read more: Former Rangers star Gattuso set to leave managerial position During an away match against Hull City late in the 1984/85 season, goalkeeper Eric McManus was injured just four minutes into the game. With no substitute available, Tony stepped in to play in goal and kept a clean sheet as Bradford secured a 2-0 win. Tony played for Bradford City from 1983 to 1987, scoring two goals in his 48 league appearances. His medal is expected to fetch between £700 and £1,000. McTear's Sporting History Auction will also include Old Firm medals, rare football shirts, early match tickets, and programmes. More information and a full catalogue of items can be found on McTear's Auctioneers website.
