Pontypridd to support former player Parks tomorrow

1st April 2011

Pontypridd RFC will line up against Swansea tomorrow for what will be their final home league match of the season where the club will be holding a bucket collection in support of Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge.

Richard, a former Sardis road favourite signed for the club in 1999 and not only won the Principality cup with Ponty, he earned his first full international cap whilst playing for the side.  It was a hugely successful spell for the club and his 3 seasons at Sardis were some of the fondest memories of Parks’ rugby career.

Pontypridd media officer Guto Davies said on behalf of the club; “Richard Parks was always a huge favourite with Pontypridd supporters and will always be welcome back at the club.  People at the club have followed his career and are now following his endeavours on the 737 Challenge.  We are keen to support Parksy in anyway we can, the bucket collection will be a token of that support”.

Richard was forced to retire from professional rugby in May 2009 due to a career ending shoulder injury.  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 he started 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 degrees to The North and South Poles, all against a 7 month clock.

So far during his epic world first race, Richard has climbed a whopping total of 22,653 metres and 74,260 feet whilst conquering Mount Vinson, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Carstensz Pyramid. He’s battled the last 60 miles to the South Pole in temperatures down to -40c and now he is about to begin the most gruelling part of his world first expedition: The North Pole and Mount Everest back to back.

Richard’s 737 Challenge is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.  If you would like to help Richard raise funds and make a donation, please click below to donate.