Richard Parks wins Just Giving “Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year” Award

2nd March 2012

Richard Parks was named Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year last night at the 2012 Just Giving Awards in London.

The former Wales rugby player, turned adventurer and mountaineer pipped celebrities such as David Walliams, Michael Vaughan and Scott Mills to take home the accolade following the success of his world first 737 Challenge.

Richard, who was in Norway and unable to attend the awards recorded a special video message stating; “It was fantastic and a real honour to be shortlisted for this years Just Giving Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year Award, but to actually win it is just incredible.  I am speechless over here, which is pretty rare for me!  I’d like to say a massive thank you to Just Giving for recognising my 737 Challenge and to all the judges who selected me as the winner tonight”.

Richard’s bravery and determined fundraising was applauded by Just Giving, whose panel of judges chose Richard as the Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year ahead of football goalkeeping legend Bob Wilson’s Soccer Cycle.  His amazing efforts and fundraising were also commended at the awards.

Since becoming the first man to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s continents and stand on all 3 poles in the same calendar year, Richard has been tirelessly fundraising in his quest to raise £1m in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.  To date he has raised over £280,000 with donations continuing to roll in.

Richard added; “I know there are a lot of incredible people in the room doing incredible things for charity and I am really humbled to be a small part of tonight.  I want to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to my 737 Challenge team.  I am really proud of what we have achieved, not just by creating a world first, but in raising a huge amount of money in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and promoting the incredible work that their nurses and hospices do in helping cancer sufferers and people with terminal illnesses.  For me that is the true power of the project, what just a handful of volunteers can achieve”.

Aside from setting his astonishing record of conquering 7 summits, 3 poles in less than 7 months, Richard’s 737 Challenge has reached over 68 million people and achieved a media value of over £2.1m.  “I'm so grateful for the support I've had from everyone”Richard added.  “So many people have contributed to this recognition and I’d like to say a massive thank you to each and every person who has pledged a donation or helped me in some way”. 

So a fantastic night for Richard and his team but there won’t be much time for celebrations just yet, Richard is still working incredibly hard to raise funds.  “We still have until the end of July to fundraise in aid of Marie Curie and I am busier than I have ever been!  We are doing everything we can to reach the next milestone and I believe that with all our fundraising initiatives and hard work we can still do so much”.

This is the second award Richard has received in 2012 after winning the Rugby Writers' Club Special Award in January.