THE father of Madeleine McCann will compete in a triathlon this weekend in aid of a charity which supports family and friends of missing people.

Gerry McCann, whose daughter, then three, went missing six years ago in Portugal, will take part in the Virgin Active London Olympic Distance Triathlon on Sunday to raise funds for the charity Missing People.

It will see him complete a 1.5k swim, 40km cycle and finish with a 10km run.

His wife Kate raised nearly £22,000 when she completed the London Marathon in April for the charity.

Madeleine disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday.

Ahead of this weekend's challenge, Mr McCann, originally from Glasgow, said: "Although a pretty onerous event, it's a challenge which I know will be far less than that of being a parent of a missing child.

"I hope to play a part in helping the charity and the valuable work it does."