Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Richard Parks at Glamorgan

January 13, 2012

In a rare one-off event on 30th November, the UK’s best known explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes came together with former Welsh international rugby player, turned adventurer, Richard Parks at the University of Glamorgan.

This event marked the opening of a new lecture theatre in the Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, and Richard being presented with the ‘Chancellor’s Medal’ in honour of his work for Marie Curie Cancer Support. At the same event, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, whose career inspired Richard’s own adventures, addressed the audience on his lifelong career as an explorer, and held a questions and answers session with science students.

Richard Parks was forced to retire from rugby in May 2009 due to a career ending shoulder injury. After a period of contemplation, and inspired by reading Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ book “Mad, bad and dangerous to know” and a sentence from his late Grandmother’s Eulogy; “The Horizon is only the limit of our sight” Richard decided that he was going to confront his fears, depression, anxiety and unanswered questions by creating The 737 Challenge.

On Tuesday 12th July 2011 Richard made history completing his world first 737 Challenge in 6 months, 11 days, 7 hours and 53 minutes.

Vice-Chancellor Julie Lydon said, “We are thrilled to be presenting Richard with the Chancellor’s Medal. The determination and skill he has demonstrated in the Challenge is exceptional, as is his commitment to raising much needed funds for Marie Curie. The University is proud to have formed this association with Richard and we look forward to working with him in the future.”

Richard said “I am really proud to have been awarded the Chancellors Medal. As well as the actual recognition of the award, the night was really special as I was able to share it with family, the 737 Challenge team, Sir Ran and the students. It was also really special to be awarded by the University of Glamorgan as I did some of the early physiological testing in preparation for the 737 Challenge here at the University. Having been born in Pontypridd and played for Pontypridd it was an honour to be awarded the Chancellors Medal and it was a fantastic night”.

Tagged: Conference event geography science and sport