A CATHOLIC priest from Horwich is to face the holy trinity of the sporting world – a gruelling triathlon.

Father Richard Howard, 41, will undertake the sponsored challenge in Southport on Sunday.

It involves the St Mary’s Church priest swimming 1.5K, cycling 40K and running 10K to raise awareness and funds to ease the plight of struggling Christian communities in Egypt.

He said: “Like many people I was appalled by the violent deaths of the 21 Coptic Egyptian Christians in 2015 at the hands of Islamic extremists.

“I therefore wanted to support the charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), because I had heard about the good work they do in such places.”

Father Richard has been in training for his triathlon since last October. He has always been an active sportsman, but his new, stricter regime has resulted in a 6 kg weight loss and a considerably smaller waist size.

All his hard work so far is already paying off. Last month he completed the Greater Manchester Marathon in just three hours and 56 minutes, a time of which he is justifiably feeling proud!

The athletic young priest was hoping to raise £1,500 in sponsorship through the triathlon, but he already doubled it even before the starting pistol has sounded.

“It’s fantastic and I’m absolutely delighted,” he said. “People have been very supportive and generous.”

You can sponsor Father Richard online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frrichardstriathlon.