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Strongman Rocky Troiani attempts double decker bus pulling world record for Summa Barker

A strongman athlete is hoping to set a new bus pulling world record to raise money for a mum with a rare neurological condition.

At 12pm today Rocky Troiani will attempt to haul a double decker bus 20 metre in under 17.41 seconds, faster than anyone has ever before.

On top of that, the 48-year-old intends to create a whole new record, pulling the same 12 ton vehicle a further 10 metres.

Rocky Troiani in training
Rocky Troiani in training

He's taking on the almost super-human feat of strength in Sort Mill Road, Snodland to raise money and awareness for Summa Barker, a woman struck down by Susac’s Syndrome, a rare condition with symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis.

The 23-year-old’s health began to take a down turn in 2017 and Since then the former hairdresser has lost the use of both her legs and her left arm and has suffered severe hearing and memory loss.

At one point she was unable to recognise her daughter Jasmine, now three years old.

Summa Barker has suffered from devastating neurological condition
Summa Barker has suffered from devastating neurological condition
Summa before her illness took hold
Summa before her illness took hold

While there is no known cure, doctors believe that receiving intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) will significantly improve her quality of life.

She was told she could not get the treatment on the NHS because of its £32,500 cost but her family managed to raise the staggering sum to get her the injections privately in just 17 days.

However, the fundraising mission has continued to bring in money for extras such as physiotherapy and a wheelchair.

Speaking to kmfm's Gary and Laura about the challenge, Rocky said: "It's not so much the weight, its the distance, its the lactic acid in the calves, it's the burn. It's a very very gruelling event for the majority of strong men.

"It's going to be a gruelling task, it really is but I've trained so hard for it and I can only do my best on the day.

Those attending the event will have the opportunity to help the fundraising effort for Summa and make donations.

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