HUNDREDS of people gave Newport’s Richard Parks a hero’s welcome at the Senedd yesterday.

Friends, family and around 200 supporters gathered in Cardiff Bay to give the record-breaker a welcome home.

Former Newport Gwent Dragon Mr Parks, who climbed the seven tallest mountains on the world’s continents and visited the poles all within seven months, was given an ovation by the crowd as he walked on to the steps of the Senedd building just after 4pm.

On the arrival of the man who aims to raise £1 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care, Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir burst into a rendition of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

Dressed in a blue suit with a white and blue shirt, one of Mr Park’s battle scars from his history-making expedition could be seen.

While his left foot was clad in a brown shoe, a sandal worn on his right foot exposed his bandaged big toe – still suffering the effects of frostbite.

Mr Parks, who lives in Ridgeway with mum Lee and dad Derek, then gave a short speech on the steps, saying: “I couldn’t think of a more amazing way to return home.

Thank you so much for giving up your time and sharing this with me. Thank you so much.”

Former Llantarnam man Ken Parslow, whose son Simon went to Rougemont School with Mr Parks, was there with wife Jeanette. He had introduced Mr Parks to Dai Watkins at Newport RFC before Mr Parks went to play there.

Mr Parslow said: “It’s fantastic to have him back. My wife’s followed him every day on Facebook and we wanted to be here to support him.”

The official schedule had Mr Parks inside the Senedd at 4.35pm but he was still outside signing autographs and posing for pictures at 4.50pm.

Among the schoolchildren gathered to welcome him home was a group from Pontypool’s Ysgol Bryn Onnen. Inspired by Mr Parks, the Year 3 class based their term studies on the 737 challenge, even climbing Pen-y-Fan to raise £2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Teacher Gareth Watkins said: “The children were really excited about being invited and it’s been brilliant, he’s a hero to them.”

Inside the Senedd, around 50 friends, families and dignitaries gathered for a drinks reception surrounded by pictures and videos of Mr Parks on his expedition. One of the speakers was Newport West AMand Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler. She said last night’s event was something she had promised Mr Parks following the reception to mark the start of his challenge.

She said: “Richard is a fantastic ambassador and role model and he’ll continue to inspire people for years to come.”

Karen Jones, hospice fundraising manager for Marie Curie Cancer Care at their hospice in Penarth, said Mr Parks first came to her in May 2009 with an idea for this challenge having never climbed a mountrain.

The charity was holding a fundraiser in London with Sir Ranulph Fiennes as a guest, so she decided that would be a good opportunity to introduce Mr Parks to the explorer.

She said the challenge has so far raised £60,000 and in the coming months, Mr Parks would “have hundreds of tales to tell and people to meet which is when his fundraising will take off”. She added: “On behalf of everyone at Marie Curie Cancer Care, I am pleased to say a huge thank you for your achievements.”