Leeds Carnegie raise over £1,000 for former player Parks

25th April 2011

Leeds Carnegie raised a whopping £1,051.64 at yesterday’s Aviva Premiership match between Leeds Carnegie and Harlequins for former Leeds favourite Richard Parks and his 737 Challenge.

In their final home match of the season at Headingley, Leeds fans gave generous donations before and after the game, which saw Leeds beaten 38-3 by Harlequins.  It might have been a disappointing day on the field for the club but off the field the day was a huge success with not only a special players reunion, but fans, sponsors, former players and players at the club all putting their hands in their pockets to support Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge which is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

737 Challenge Fundraising Manager Lindsey Bridgeman stated; “It was absolutely amazing to see how much support there is in Leeds for Richard and I can not thank the club enough for the opportunity to raise such a fantastic amount on Easter Sunday.  A massive thank you to both sets of fans and everyone involved at Leeds Carnegie for not only raising over £1,000 but for all their continued support of Richard’s challenge”.

Richard was also named in the programme’s “Fan’s eye view all time Leeds Carnegie first team” as well as appearing on the big screens at half time and a special 737 Challenge feature in the matchday programme.  Fans that might have missed the big screens on Sunday can also see and hear Richard’s messages to Leeds fans and former players by clicking below.  Richard’s parents Lee and Derek were proud to attend the game on Richard’s behalf.

Richard is currently trekking to Everest Base Camp alongside two times Olympic Gold medallist rower Steve Williams to begin his ascent of Mount Everest, the 7th leg of his 737 Challenge and the highest mountain on earth.  Whilst a host of Leeds ex players spent Easter Sunday catching up on old times in the pre match reunion, Richard was trekking to 5,000m to the Chukung valley, located over the southern regions of Mt Everest.

On hearing the news that over £1,000 was raised for his challenge, which is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie, he stated; “Wow, that is awesome.  Thank you so much to everyone at Leeds Carnegie and to all the fans that donated.  It is so humbling to hear I have so much support and it means so much to me so thank you to everyone.  I’d also like to wish Leeds good luck for their final game against Northampton Saints”.

Picture - action from Sunday's Leeds v Quins match.