737 Challenge announce filming partner and TV documentary

10th December 2010

Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge are proud to announce that Sports Media Services will be the official filming partner for the 737 Challenge and that BBC Cymru Wales have commissioned a documentary following Richard Parks’ world first expedition.

Sports Media Services (SMS Media) broadcast live events globally for Sky Sports and S4C. They also recently produced a 3-part documentary series following the Captain’s Climb to Kilimanjaro. They will be producing a documentary covering Richard’s amazing expedition, from his preparations to the challenge itself.

Russell Isaac, SMS Media Executive Producer stated; “Recording Richards build-up to the actual Challenge has been full of emotion, blood, sweat and the inevitable tears. Its been packed with the tele-visual ups and downs that you’d expect from a project of this magnitude and that’s all before the real adventure begins! It’s a privilege to be associated with the 737 Challenge and to work with an individual of such integrity and commitment. The stunning locations allied with the incredible human effort involved will create a great television product.”

Richard Parks is thrilled that BBC Cymru Wales have commissioned a documentary on his epic challenge, he added; “I have spent the last six months working closely with SMS Media and it’s awesome to announce them as our filming partner. They totally got the challenge from day one and are passionate about the challenge, which is really important to me. To have BBC Cymru Wales broadcasting the challenge is simply fantastic. I am proud to have so much support in Wales and I already write a column for BBC Sport and have appeared on BBC Radio talking about the challenge so to be supported by the BBC in such a way is amazing and I hope the viewers will enjoy watching the documentary”.

The filming of Richard’s 737 Challenge from around the world will enable fans and followers to experience every step of the challenge. Logistically, filming in such hostile conditions will have it’s own challenges and the documentary will feature a mix of unique video diaries filmed by Richard to high definition footage filmed by specialists crews and climbers.

Finally, Richard Parks added; “I have kind of got used to the camera crew being around now. The crew at SMS Media are a great bunch and we have had lots of fun filming all my preparation over the last six months. It’s something I found quite difficult at first so it has been really important to me to build a strong relationship with the crew and to be working with people who truly believe in the challenge”.

You can also watch Richard Parks on BBC Two Wales tonight at 7pm as he speaks to Jason Mohammad on BBC Wales’ weekly sports magazine show - Sport Wales.