AFTER over a year of preparation, former Newport Gwent Dragon Richard Parks' 737 Challenge is finally under way after he left Cardiff Bay yesterday.
He left the Welsh capital at around midday on the first leg of his odyssey, where he will travel to the South Pole.
This represents his first challenge as he attempts to make it to the three poles and stand on the summit of the highest peak on each of the world's seven continents in seven months.
The former Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons rugby player was due to fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, from London Heathrow yesterday before taking a connecting flight to Patriot Hills, Antarctica, to begin the journey to the South Pole.
He should arrive there early in the new year after spending Christmas trekking in freezing conditions. Parks aims to raise £1 million for Marie Curie Cancer from the world-first attempt.
The Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay was chosen as the departure point as this is where another British Antarctic expedition started from 100 years ago.
It was in 1910 that Captain Robert Scott set sail in the Terra Nova from the same port.
You can follow Parks at 737challenge.com
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