A sports enthusiast is currently on track to break the Guinness World Record for the most triathlons completed in seven days.

The current record stands at 22, however, Bartek Holda is hoping to complete an impressive 24 Olympic-distance triathlons by the end of today, Friday.

The physiotherapist, who runs a clinic in Bury, has undertaken the gruelling attempt to help raise awareness of a debilitating, lifelong disease which his 27-year-old daughter Dominika, lives with.

Dominika’s sister, Kamila, who goes by Kam, said: “My dad is one of the most modest people I know and we are so very proud of him.

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“He is doing this, not only for my sister but for anyone who lives with an invisible illness. No-one knows what other people are facing in their day to day lives.”

Taking place at Castle Leisure Centre in Bury, the 50-year-old hopes to raise money and awareness of the disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a debilitating, lifelong skin disease impacting around 1 in 100 people.

He wanted to mark Dominika’s birthday, which took place on Monday (September 30), sharing that “this physical challenge is nothing compared to the strength she has shown over the 14 years since her diagnosis".

Kam added: “My sister is one of my biggest heroes. She has not let it [HS] define her at all. She went to law school and hasn’t let anything get in the way.”

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Sharing on his GoFundMe crowdfunding page, Bartek said: “As a parent, watching my daughter suffer has been absolutely devastating.

“The feeling of being unable to help your child, knowing that no matter what you do, you cannot take away their pain, is heartbreaking. There were times it made me cry like a baby.”

The page was only set up last week when his family encouraged Bartek to set a modest target of £500. The fund currently stands at more than £2,000.  

He has been a member at the leisure centre for around 18 years and has been using a reserved lane in the pool all week to swim the sixty lengths required for each triathlon.

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Bartek has set up his bicycle in the reception area of the centre, alongside a second bike to invite members of the public to try and keep up with him and to spark new conversations around the challenge.

Kam said: “He has been starting at 7am every day and going on until late in the evening to stay on target. He is just in a constant loop of swim, bike, run.

"The general reaction has been incredibly overwhelming.

"The amount of support he's been shown is incredible, from people cheering him on and chatting to him to keep him company, to donating, to cycling alongside him to keep him company. 

"All the staff at Castle Leisure Centre have been absolutely incredible and this whole event would not have been possible without them.

"As part of the documenting Guinness requires Bartek to be observed by two independent witnesses at all times throughout the whole event, so the amount of people involved in this to make it happen has been really moving."

Each triathlon starts with a 1,500m swim, going into a 40km cycle and ending with a 10km run.

Bartak added: “My goal is to raise awareness, to encourage medical professionals to take this disease more seriously, and to advocate for policymakers to improve support for patients with HS.”