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About the Challenge
Richard Parks, the former Welsh International and Barbarian flanker, was forced to retire from professional rugby due to a career ending shoulder injury in May 2009. After a period of contemplation, he decided that he was going to confront his fears and unanswered questions by creating The 737 Challenge.
In December 2010 Richard started the unique, multi discipline 737 Challenge. A gripping 7 month expedition to climb the 7 Summits, which are the highest mountain on each of the world's continents, and venture the last degree to The South Pole and Geographic North Pole. All against a 7 month clock!
When successful Richard will become the first ever person to stand on the continental summits and all 3 poles (The South Pole, The Geographic North Pole and the summit of Everest) in the same calendar year and set a new benchmark in the climbing of the 7 Summits.
7 summits, 3 poles, in 7 months. A world first.
Great Britons
As well as being a proud Welshman Richard is a proud Briton! To celebrate Great Britain and British-led expeditions, The 737 Challenge is honoured to be joined by the Great Britons Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Steve Williams and Jan Suart, a Marie Curie Nurse.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world's greatest living explorer, plans to climb the final Summit with Richard Ð Mt. Elbrus in Russia.
The double Olympic gold medal rower Steve Williams will accompany Richard to The Geographic North Pole and also join Richard on his ascent of Everest, the highest mountain on earth.
Marie Curie Cancer Care
The 737 Challenge is justly proud to be raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
As a celebration of the amazing work undertaken by all Marie Curie nurses and the by the Marie Curie Charity organisation, Richard will be joined by Jan Suart, a Marie Curie nurse for the climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro in Africa.
Many of us in life are faced with having to make new beginnings, to challenge ourselves, and to confront our deepest fears in order to grow and develop as human beings.
In conceiving, putting in to place and attempting this challenge, Richard has confronted head on his fears and the uncertainty that were facing him.
In the current economic climate and in the challenges of today's society, many will identify with the relevance of Richard's journey. It stands as a beacon of hope from which we can learn and gain information.
