Parks reflects a year on since setting off on his 737 Challenge

12th December 2011

Exactly one year ago today, Richard Parks was getting the pre match jitters before he set off on his 737 Challenge.  An epic race to climb the highest summit on each of the world’s continents and stand on all 3 poles in just 7 months.

Many thought it was more impossible than possible and as Richard set off from Cardiff Bay on 12^th December 2010 after 18 months of meticulous and brutal training with butterflies in his stomach, nobody could have predicted what was around the corner.

“It’s game time now, time to stand up and deliver” stated a nervous Richard as he over looked Cardiff Bay 100 years after the British Antarctic Expedition, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, departed from the Bay in the vessel SS Terra Nova.

Deliver is exactly what he did, following in the footsteps of those famous and intrepid explorers and a whirlwind year has followed.  Since summiting the final mountain in Russia cementing the former Rugby player’s place in history, life changed forever for Richard Parks.

There hasn’t been much time for reminiscing, Richard’s schedule since returning home in July has gone from waking up in a tent and climbing for up to 16 hours a day to a flourish of appearances, fundraising, corporate speaking, meetings, press and planning.  Last week he was invited by the Queen to Buckingham Palace and tonight he’ll be sitting amongst the cream of Welsh Sport at Wales Sports Personality of the Year.  Life will never be quite the same again. 

“I didn’t give life after the challenge much thought” stated Richard.  “All my focus was in the preparation and being in each day of the climbing and polar skiing.  I couldn’t have dreamed it would be as busy as this, however I always knew we would only get the very best chance of raising funds in aid of Marie Curie if I successfully completed my 737 Challenge.”

“I’ve been so busy since I returned home that I haven’t really even had the chance to process it all still.  I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved, but my real pride comes in how we achieved it.  I can’t believe a year has passed already, to be honest I haven’t given myself too much time to reflect as I don’t see the project as over yet, we still have a fundraising mountain to climb until July next year! Excuse the pun! Ha!”

“The success of the 737 Challenge is down to many people. I’m hugely proud of, and grateful to my challenge team, sponsors and indeed everyone that has helped me achieve this world first and in doing so support Marie Curie Cancer Care.  I’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the amazing support that I’ve had from the public, from individuals to schools, corporates, media and the sporting community. A massive thank you to everyone.”

Soon to hopefully be announcing reaching a significant milestone in his fundraising, Richard added; “The fundraising is equally as tough, although very different to the actual challenge, but the support has been awesome.  Everyone has donated incredibly generously towards my Marie Curie target since I returned, even though it’s tough times.  I am conscious we still have a long way to go in order to reach my £1m target but I am working just as hard on fundraising as I did during the actual 7 months of my challenge, it’s been a pretty brutal workload especially as I’m still recovering physically and mentally, however I am just as determined that we’ll get there!”.

Along with pledges and the plaudits, a year on sees Richard’s public profile still on the rise.  “It’s been weird getting used to people saying such lovely things, but my mates, team and parents keep my feet firmly on the ground!  My motives behind the challenge were never for recognition it was my way of dealing with my forced retirement from rugby.  The challenge for me was learning the skill of mountaineering and channelling my emotions into something positive, whilst supporting Marie Curie Cancer Care, a charity very close to my heart.”

October saw Parks shoot from 39 in Wales’ sexiest men top 50 to number 7, he’s been snapped up by commercial marketing giants Wasserman Media Group who represent the likes of Mark Cavendish and global sport stars, whilst TV companies are lining up to work alongside Parks.  He’s currently writing a book and commercial opportunities are a plenty; “People keep asking me what next!  Of course I have plans for the future, and I’m excited about the opportunities, however I don’t see the 737 Challenge as over yet.  I know it’s not the glamorous answer everyone wants to hear but it’s the truth.  I have until July 2012 to raise as much funds as I can in aid of Marie Curie, right now my focus is heavily on this”.  “I do have other ideas though! Mountains and the Poles will always be part of my life now and given the opportunity again, I plan to test myself on another pioneering project in the future.  I feel incredibly grateful for all that my 737 Challenge has given me, none more so than the ability to draw a line under my forced retirement from rugby through injury and the friends that I have made.”

Last month he declared that every part of his toe is now living tissue.  The phenomenal healing of his frostbitten digit which he named “Lazarus” during the challenge is almost complete but won’t ever be quite the same again, and so one of the first tests of 2012 is to get back at altitude; “I am off on expedition to South America again in January, it will be a good opportunity to see how it reacts climbing at high altitude again.  My toe will need extra management for the rest of my life now.”

“Following that it’s more fundraising, talks and appearances. I’m excited about leading a 737 Challenge Everest Base Camp trek, which will help us raise more funds as well as an opportunity for me to work in the mountains.  I’m planning to finish my book in time for next Christmas and actively working with a distributer to get the challenge documentary on other networks around the globe.  There are lots of exciting opportunities ahead and I’m really amped to be back in training now and off climbing soon!”.

So with Christmas ahead and a rollercoaster year behind him, you might think Richard is off for a holiday in the sun chilling and sipping cocktails; “I am off to Slovenia for some winter climbing over New Years!  Believe me that is a holiday after the last few months!”

When asked to sum up this last year; “One word to sum up the last year?….awesome! Have a great Christmas guys!”

Pic: Richard at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay one year ago.

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