Nathan Cuthbertson Memorial Show

When it comes to emotion, Remembrance Sunday is one of those days that unite everyone as we remember those real heroes who have fallen. Those brave young men and woman who put themselves into danger, often with no thought of themselves, only their fellow soldiers, who do so each time knowing that they may not make it back to their own families. One such solder was Pte Nathan Cuthbertson, who was serving with the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) in Afghanistan when he was killed while on foot patrol in June 2008. Nathan was one of three paratroopers who died when a lone insurgent detonated an explosive in the country’s Helmand Province. Nathan was just 19.

Nathan’s family and friends have since kept his memory alive every day, not just on Remembrance Sunday. Since his death, his mam and dad, Tom and Carla, have devoted themselves to honouring his legacy with an annual bike ride from Catterick Garrison back to Sunderland, which has raised thousands for charity. But on the 20th November, Rainton Arena played host to the very first Nathan Cuthbertson Thai Boxing Memorial Championship. A sold out event that once again united the people of the North East as they paid their respects to our brave fallen. The event managed to raise a whopping £4000 for the Cuthy200 charity and for Support Our Paras (the official

charity for Parachute Regiment) from the ticket sales, literally all profit made was for these two fantastic charities.

The main event of the show saw Aaron ‘Snowy’ Snowdon from the Royal Navy taking on Mark Holder from Cuthy 200 Thai Boxing for the Nathan Cuthbertson Thai Boxing Memorial Championship belt. Snowy took the decision, winning the bout on points. You can see the fight for yourself HERE

And the co-main event saw Jack Sampola crowned WKO B Class Northern Area Thai Boxing Champion after defeating a tough Damien Heim. You can see the fight HERE

During the interval Tom and Carla were presented with a check for £4000 as well as a canvas image and an incredible artist sketch of a photo of Nathan taken in Afghanistan. To say it was emotional would be an understatement.

We spoke to the man behind the Nathan Cuthbertson Thai Boxing Memorial Championship Show…

Welcome to NE Online Magazine, can you introduce yourself to our readers? My name is Dave Corrigan, I run Cuthy200 Thai Boxing academy. I’m also a veteran of the Parachute Regiment and have done 10 years with the North East Ambulance Service.

You are the man behind the Nathan Cuthbertson Thai Boxing Memorial show that was held at Rainton Meadows in November, what was the reason behind putting on the show? I’ve been involved in Muay Thai 30+ years, both in the army

and civi street. I served in 2 Para with Nathan’s dad Tom, without knowing. As a veteran paratrooper I was devastated for Tom and Carla, losing their 19 year old son in Afghanistan on June 8th 2008. I was involved in a tribute on Contender Promotions where I had 6 fighters on the show, that lead me to making a promise to myself that I would do a show 100% in memory of Nathan, with the Parachute Regiment and Royal Navy both involved (as both have serving members training Muay Thai ). With Ben Anthony Stephenson representing the Parachute Regiment and Jamie Mitchell representing Royal Navy Muay Thai.

How emotional was it seeing it all come together, with a packed arena, incredible fights and of course having Nathan’s family there watching it all? After the nightmare with lockdowns and two postponements, I finally agreed on November 20th, then the hard work started. I wanted a venue that would do Nathan and his parents proud, choosing Rainton Meadows Arena. Though I did hope that I hadn’t gone over the top with it being such a big venue. So to see the response was amazing, a virtual sell out, selling 40 tables and nearly 200 standing. I still can’t believe it.

Unlike other shows, you put yours on to help raise money for “Support our Paras”, can you tell us more about the charity and what they do? The show from day one was charity based with the money going to Tom and Carla’s choices of charities. Tom and Carla’s charity, Cuthy Big Bike Ride, which is a bike ride done annually with over 250 cyclists raising unbelievable amounts, which they donate to veteran’s charity’s, one of them being Support Our Paras, which is the Parachute Regiment’s official charity, supporting veteran and serving paratroopers for many reasons. Tom and Carla’s amazing charity work and fundraising in memory of their son was recognised at the highest order with them being made MBEs.

It’s hard to believe that was your first show. What was the hardest part of putting it all together? The most fearful thing was the thought of failure, not enough gyms getting involved, or too many drop outs, even poor ticket sales. I wanted everything to go right for Tom and Carla to make it a night never forgotten for them. It was an amazing turn out, which the supporting clubs and fighters have to be thanked for.

The North East is full of talent when it comes to combat sports, how did you find it matching the fights? I prioritised my gyms fighters, all novices, matching them a year in advance of the show, then getting the parachute Regiment & Royal Navy matched which was very important. Then the supporting gyms involved were amazing, especially Daz Collins of Warrior Muay Thai (a veteran paratrooper), who was amazing in his support.

Tell us three random facts about yourself? I am veteran paratrooper. I run my own Thai Boxing gym. I run my own medical team supporting events.

A lot of people all came together to not only honour Nathan, but to honour all of our fallen heroes, which made the full show a real emotional event from start to finish. You really should feel proud for not only making it all happen, but making the event such a success. What has the feedback been like now that the dust has all settled? The feedback has been amazing from all of the clubs involved as we as from Nathan’s family. Raising £4000 for both charities’ is something which I’m really proud of. All of this has made me decide to make it an annual event. Was this a one off event or just the beginning, can we expect to see more events in the future? This is definitely the beginning. The sponsors were amazing supporting the show, we already have sponsors on board for next year’s show. (all sponsors are welcome haha). A big shout goes out to Trev Arnell from Teesside Parachute Regimental Association and JCM sponsoring the trophies and memorial belt.

Is there anything you would like to add? A big thank you to Jaron Sharples from Jaron Sharples Images for sponsorship of the t-shirts and the amazing photography (used in the feature), Dell Mann for the help and Videography, with all of the fights available on Fightnightlive-tv

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us about such an amazing show and the great cause behind it.

@ Hip Hippo Ray

www.bstfabrics.co.uk