Dragons derby ready to raise funds for 737 Challenge

26th April 2011

Newport Gwent Dragons are all fired up for a right royal battle versus Cardiff Blues this Friday in the big derby match which will see Richard Parks’ former club Newport Gwent Dragons raise funds for the 737 Challenge, which is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

At the big derby clash, which kicks off after the royal wedding at 16:05 at Rodney Parade, the Men of Gwent will take to the field in a special one-off kit, designed by Richard himself. In-keeping with Dragons tradition, the players’ shirts will be auctioned after the match to raise funds for the 737 Challenge.

Richard is now into the 5^th month and day 136 of his epic 7-month race to climb the highest summits on each of the world’s continents and reach the North and South poles.  If successful, the former Rodney Parade favourite will become the first person to stand on the continental summits and all 3 poles (the North Pole, South Pole and the summit of Everest) in the same calendar year.

So far Richard has summited 4 of the famous 7 summits and travelled the last degrees to reach both the North and South Poles.  He is currently trekking to Everest Base Camp with 2 times Olympic gold medallist rower Steve Williams where they will then begin their ascent of the world’s highest peak.  Richard will then move on to Denali in Alaska before finishing his 737 Challenge on Mount Elbrus in Russia.

Richard ended his rugby career at Newport Gwent Dragons in May 2009 after a shoulder injury cruelly forced him to call an end to his playing days.  This Friday will mark a special occasion for the 737 Challenge and Richard will be sending the fans a special message from the Himalayas before the game, he stated; “I wish I could be there to spend the day at Rodney Parade and thank everyone for their support, which has been amazing.  I’m very grateful and proud of all the support I’ve had from the Welsh public and local businesses”. He added; “The Dragons hold a special place in my heart as I started and finished my career here in the region. I am very grateful and proud of the support I had from the Dragons fans and management during my career ending injury, and now during my 737 Challenge.  Being given this massive derby game against the Blues to help with my fundraising target for Marie Curie Cancer Care is awesome, I just wish I was playing!”.

He also knows that the funds raised by the fans at the match day collection, as well as pledges for those fantastic one-off Dragons shirts will really make a difference to Marie Curie Cancer Care; “Cancer has affected my family deeply, like so many of us, and I am privileged to be raising funds in aid of Marie Curie.  This match will really help our fundraising goal for Marie Curie so please dig deep and donate anything you can”.

Richard also hopes that all the fans love the special kit designed by Richard and Dragons kit sponsor Gilbert, he added; “I’d like to thank Gilbert for donating and producing this fantastic kit, I hope everyone loves the shirts, which will help us raise further funds on what promises to be an awesome day.  A royal wedding and a derby match, what a day!”.

Today’s press conference at Rodney Parade saw Dragons players Jason Tovey, Luke Charteris and Aled Brew wear the special Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge shirts and all comment on how much they like the white strip.  They also took the opportunity to model the new exclusive 737 Challenge T-Shirt which is also on sale in the Dragons club shop from Friday, click below for all the details of where you can buy your very own 737 Challenge T-Shirt.

The Blues fixture promises to be a sell out and the game is also live on BBC 2 Wales on Scrum V Live from 16:00.

The special one off Dragons shirts will be auctioned shortly after Friday’s match.  The 737 Challenge will announce details of how you can start your bidding after the game.  Keep your eyes peeled here at www.737challenge.com

Pic: Luke Charteris in the special one-off shirt.