Graeme Souness will climb the highest peaks in Scotland, Wales and England in a bid to raise at least £500,000 for people suffering from rare skin conditions in the UK.

The former Rangers and Liverpool manager will take on Ben Nevis, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and Scafell Pike over the course of three days alongside three high-altitude swims near each peak.

The Scot said that cash raised from his “toughest challenge yet” will be donated to Debra UK, a charity supporting people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

EB, also known as “butterfly skin”, is a group of rare, painful genetic skin conditions that can cause the skin to blister and tear at even the slightest touch.

Souness said: “This September, I’m taking on my toughest challenge yet for everyone living with the agony of EB.

“Three peaks. Three open-water swims. Three days. It will be brutal – but nothing compared to the pain children and adults with EB face every day.

“We urgently need to raise at least £500,000 to help fund another clinical trial and move closer to securing effective EB drug treatments for each of the main forms of EB.

“Please sponsor me. Every donation and every share matters. Please help make every step and every stroke count.”

The challenge forms part of DEBRA UK’s £20 million Stop the Pain appeal, which aims to fund better care for those with the condition while driving the development of treatments that could heal wounds faster and reduce pain.

It follows the former footballer’s previous fundraising efforts for the charity, including several swims across the English Channel, which have raised millions of pounds.

Souness’s challenge can be supported at: www.debra.org.uk/graeme