Wales give Richard Parks a send off to remember

30th November 2010

Wales’ First Minister called on 74,500 rugby fans at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to give a rousing send off to former international Richard Parks ahead of the biggest challenge of his life - The 737 Challenge.

Richard Parks was presented to the Welsh crowd at half time at Saturday’s sell-out Wales’ Invesco Perpetual Autumn Series clash with New Zealand.

The First Minister was proud to join the rugby fans to show his support for Richard at the home of Welsh sport, where the former international helped Wales to victory over Scotland in a summer series game before the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Carwyn Jones said: “Richard has set himself a huge physical challenge but I’m sure that he will acquit himself well on his epic task, which will raise money for a very worthwhile cause. Good luck to him and I look forward to hearing how he is getting on with his record attempt.”

Parks’ world first challenge which starts in just under 12 days time is now within touching distance. 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 he will set a new benchmark in the climbing of the 7 Summits. Along the way he aims to raise 1 million pounds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

For Richard, who won 4 caps for Wales and was forced to retire from professional rugby in May 2009 due to a shoulder injury, the day marked a very special moment; “The All Blacks coming to Cardiff is always special and to be involved in the day was a real honour” he stated. “I’m incredibly grateful for all the WRU’s support and was honoured and humbled to share the 737 Challenge with all the Welsh fans at half time. It was a massive boost to my fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care and to be presented with a gold and silver WRU embroidered badge by the First Minister Carwyn Jones and Roger Lewis was just awesome”.

PICTURE COURTESY OF WRU