Latest news with #DEBRAUK
The Courier
3 days ago
- Health
- The Courier
£20k Montrose Port donation will inspire charity Kilimanjaro climbers
A £20,000 Montrose Port Authority donation is set to inspire Montrose charity supporters on their journey to the roof of Africa. DEBRA UK's Montrose fundraising team has been selected as the trust port's Angus charity of the year for 2025. And the local figurehead behind the charity's Scottish fundraising efforts says the five-figure boost is a generous tribute to a fondly remembered little girl. DEBRA UK is dedicated to supporting those with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and their families. EB is a rare and extremely painful genetic skin condition thought to affect more than 5,000 people in the UK. Often known as 'butterfly skin', the disorder causes the skin to be extremely fragile, easily blistering under the slightest friction. There is currently no cure and the condition is not generally well known or understood. Laura Forsyth from Montrose is DEBRA UK's Director of Fundraising for Scotland. She witnessed her young cousin Adana Forsyth's courageous battle with the condition. Known as the 'butterfly girl' to locals, Adana passed away as a result of EB in 2008 at the age of just ten. The money donated by MPA will go towards the Montrose group's upcoming expedition to Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. In October, a team of 15 supporters will take on the 5,895-metre summit climb with the aim of raising £80,000. MPA also sponsors DEBRAFEST, an annual festival in the Angus town that raises money and awareness for the charity. This year's festival is due to take place on Saturday July 26 at Gill Park, Montrose. Laura Forsyth said: 'We're thrilled to receive this generous donation from MPA. 'Their ongoing support helps us continue our efforts to raise awareness around EB and help improve the quality of life of people living with the condition.' She continued, 'Although the climb will be challenging, we're incredibly excited about the impact the Kilimanjaro expedition is going to have. 'The group has already begun training, and this donation has given us a real boost to keep up the effort.' Montrose Port Authority CEO Tom Hutchison said: 'We're proud to be supporting DEBRA's Montrose fundraising group as our chosen Angus charity of the year. 'Laura's passion shines through and we know that this cause is close to the hearts of many people throughout Montrose. 'We're looking forward to seeing the community out for DEBRAFEST this summer, and everyone at the port wishes the group well as they embark on their Kilimanjaro expedition later in the year.' It follows the trust port's support for Guide Dogs Scotland as its 2024 Angus charity of the year. The port authority has donated more than £430,000 to over 70 local causes in the last four years.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Graeme Souness looking to raise $1M as Liverpool legend embarks on toughest challenge yet
Former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness is embarking on his toughest challenge to date by swimming the English Channel and back to raise money for a cause close to his heart. After walking from QPR's Loftus Road to Wembley Stadium for the British Heart Foundation, the ex-Sky Sports pundit will look to conquer another fundraising feat before the end of April. The Reds legend - who won five league titles and three European Cups in his glittering spell at Anfield - was characterized by his full-blooded displays on the field during his storied playing days. Now, he is turning his passions towards raising awareness and funds to help people suffering with the condition of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The 71-year-old is a vice-president of DEBRA UK, a charity which was established to support those living with EB - an illness which leaves sufferers with painful blisters, open wounds, and excruciating itching. READ MORE: Alan Hansen health latest as Liverpool legend spotted at Anfield amid title celebrations READ MORE: Liverpool legend tells Arne Slot how rest of Premier League will respond to title win Back in 2023, Kop hero Souness swam the Channel for the charity and raised £1.5m (£2m) for the cause. This time around, he will be swimming double the distance he did last time, as he looks to raise £750,000 ($1m) to fund two EB clinical trials - which could lead to treatments to alleviate the pain those suffering from the condition live with on a daily basis. In his role as an ambassador for DEBRA, Souness is set to don his wetsuit and hit the water on April 30 at Dover. In a statement issued by the charity, the ex-Liverpool skipper expressed his commitment to helping individuals living with EB, such as his friend Isla Grist. He said: "I had to do something for my wee friend, Isla, and the thousands of other children and adults affected by this cruel condition. "With the money raised DEBRA UK was able to start testing drugs which could be life-changing but there are many more drugs that they need to test if we are to secure effective treatments for every form of EB, treatments that could help stop the extreme pain. "This is why we're getting back in the water once again. It's going to be tough; I'm 71 now and it's double the distance, but I know we can do this, we must do this, we must be the difference for EB." In an exclusive interview with last week, Souness spoke passionately about his dedication to the charity, his efforts to raise awareness of the condition and his hope that he can improve the lives of those living with EB. He said: "DEBRA is a charity that helps people with a genetic condition called EB, you're born with it and it's a genetic condition. "The best day of your life is the day you are born because it just gets worse as you get older. It's life-limiting and these poor kids have no respite from the pain and itch that they have every waking moment of their lives. Speaking about swimming the English Channel - and back - for DEBRA this month, he spoke excitedly about what will be his second crossing of the strait which separates Dover from Calais in France. He said: "So, two years ago we swam the channel as a relay team - which means an hour in the water and five out, then another in. "We did that and we're attempting to do it again. We're going to attempt to swim there and swim back. I've prepared for it and trained for it and I wish it was tomorrow!" READ MORE: Graeme Souness outlines what Arne Slot needs for Liverpool to build on Premier League success READ MORE: Graeme Souness opens up on Anfield memories, Everton wondergoal and Bob Paisley's thoughts on titles Opening up on his desire to help those affected by the condition through his courageous efforts, he added: "It's such a horrible thing to witness. These poor kids, there's not a lot we can do for them but the whole idea is on two fronts. "Firstly to make people aware that this condition exists and secondly raise enough money to repurpose drugs that are already on the market but can be used by scientists and researchers to make them work for our kids that suffer from this."
The Independent
18-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Graeme Souness breaks down in tears discussing painful health condition during live interview
Former Scotland football manager Graeme Souness broke down in tears as he opened up about a painful health condition during a live television interview. The Liverpool legend is swimming to Calais and back to raise money for DEBRA UK, a charity which carries out research into treatments for the rare condition Epidermolysis Bullosa. The television pundit appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday (18 April), alongside Isla Grist, who suffers with the condition. Souness had to pause his interview as he was reduced to tears describing the impact the condition has.
