THE finalists in the 2015 St David Awards, have been announced by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.

Finalists this year include elite sportspeople, heroes, inventors, innovators, entertainers, ambassadors for Wales and those who put other people's needs before their own with their charity and volunteer work.

Richard Parks, an Old Monmothian, former rugby professional and extreme environment athlete has been nominated for the 'Sport' category. Richard is a former professional rugby player who represented Wales four times and played for teams in Wales, England and France during a career which spanned 13 years. 37 year old Parks now spends his time taking on expeditions and challenges which push the boundaries of human performance. He has made history twice with two incredible feats of endurance. The first challenge was to climb the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents (Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Aconcagua, South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Carstensz Pyramid, in Asia, Everest, Denali or Mount Mckinley in North America and Mount Elbrus in Europe) and stand on all three poles (the North and South Poles and the summit of Everest) within 7 months. He left Cardiff on the 12th December 2010 on the centenary of the departure of the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition and completed the challenge on the 12th July 2011, more than two weeks ahead of his self-imposed deadline. Last year, he also became the first Welsh man and the fastest ever British person to ski solo, unsupported and unassisted to the South Pole. He is also a member of the Sport Wales board.

The awards, now in their second year, acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of people in Wales. They were created to recognise the great deeds and contributions made by people from all walks of life.

The First Minister announced the finalists at a special event at the Wales Millennium Centre sponsored by one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations HSBC and communication experts Golley Slater.

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: "This year's St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people from all walks of life. They're a credit to the nation and are all fully deserving of recognition.

"I know that Lord Rowe-Beddoe and the other judges had a tough time in selecting the finalists and choosing a winner from these excellent nominees is going to be a real challenge, such are their outstanding achievements.

"I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at the main awards ceremony in March and thank all of today's finalists for their contributions to Welsh life and society."

Pictures courtesy of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions