Darren Sutherland

Darren i will never forget the times we have shared..... I will miss you forever x..... you will always own a huge space in my heart..... Rest in peace..... you were an inspiration! "aim for the stars" :) .....

My thoughts are with your family.... xxx

Darren, i remember the time i saw u when u paddy & kenny were doin the late late show. Me and paddy got a chinese and bumped n2 you on the way back. we talked for ages and you were really excited abt goin pro. me n paddy promised we would go and watch you fight. although we didnt we never missed a match. i always had to sky plus it for paddy!

u were lovely that nite, talked to us for ages and i said we would see soon. I remember seeing u and hazel at the people of the year awards and u tellin me after u were too tired to party! i laughed bcz me and paddy went to bed early too! was such a good nite that nite and i am so glad i was able to meet u and chat with u. that was the last time i saw u and i will always remember that nite.

we will always remember you and never forget u darren, paddy always talked abt how dedicated you were abt everything you done. A true gentleman. i pray for your family and hazel every day. RIP. for ever young. mari xxxxx

i try to write things down about our good times together and if i was 2 write them all down it would be a never ending story. i was looking at a dvd my dad has of me and u sparring when u came back from sheffield. u had all designs shaved on your head. it was a sunday morning just me, u, my brother, your mam and my dad in the gym. we had the music pumping. u did the naz flip into the ring. we had some great nights in the gym. u were such a great man in the ring and outside. u made a buzz everywhere u went. i miss u champ. love dean

You were so proud when u arrived back from beijing with that bronze medal, i remember u coming off the plane wit kenneth and paddy and u had dat silly chinese hat on u ha ha ha, ur dad turned to us and said ah dat has to b darren, we were all laughin and when u walked through the door with ur medal in ur hand u were so proud, cameras flashing and press everywhere. u were in shock, wat a proud moment for u xx,

And Darren ill never forget the first time i actually got chattin to you at the person of the year awards, you were sittin beside me and kenneth, hazel and ur mam, i didn realise how much of a funny bloke and a messer you were, we had such a laugh gigglin about u and and the lads havin to walk up to the stage to get ur awards, u were all nervous and telling kenneth he was to walk first and you'd follow. i think we giggled for most of that night.

Such a lovely down to earth bloke and not a bit big headed, thats what i really like about you, i really got to see the real darren that night, and u truely were a star xxx u will b very sadly missed darren, god bless you and rest in peace, love karen and family xxxx

"I think Hazels letter has really said it all and much much more x She just took the words out of all ur nearest and dearest's. Darren, im left speachless, u are and always will be so sadly missed and you will always be in our thoughts and prayers" xxx Love Always. Graham an Jill xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My Dearest Darren ,

Words, right now, are inadequate .
The English language does not contain the words beautiful enough to do justice to the person that was, Darren Sutherland.

If I could piece together a collage of everything that is beautiful in this world, every amazing quality you could wish for and all the possible love and joy that was you, it would still never be enough to create an image to match the person you were.

It is so difficult to decide which form of time to use when addressing you, "you are" "you were" , but for you Darren, your legacy is that your spirit and force will live on in all of our hearts forever and for that, you are eternal.


When I first met Darren, I was instantly struck by his magnetic charisma, his outstanding enthusiasm for life and his unforgettable heartwarming smile.
He was such a gentleman, so handsome with such grace.

Darren could light up a room just by walking into it, he wouldn't have to say a word, but that wasn't Darren, he loved to talk ,one of the many things he did so well, he just had such a way with words.

You couldn't help but be drawn in by Darren, he was such an addictive person, his upbeat and positive outlook on life was infectious, just by listening to him and being in his company he had this ability to make you feel as though you could take on anything , become anyone, climb any mountain and as though you were on top of the world!

Darren you truly were spellbinding, my inspiration, you thought me to do better and to be a better person, you helped me through so much with your guidance and for that gift I thank you.
You always knew the right thing to say to make everything better with that twinkle in your eye and the comfort of your embrace.

I remember how I would always tell you of how much you inspired me and you would laugh and say, "me, really"?
You were so humble and unaware of how many peoples lives you influenced in so many different ways.

I often found my self mimicking your ways , I always wished that if I had just a small percentage of your qualities
and morals that I would be such a better person for it , a little more like you . Honesty and Integrity were your middle names.

You never had a bad word to say about anybody and you brought out the best in everyone. You had a heart of solid gold.

I have so many fond and precious memories of our time together since I've known him, most recent memories of time spent in London with him during the summer that will never fade.
Shopping on Oxford street, you wandered in and out of every store with me always so patient, the hustle and bustle of the underground tubes , you always watched my back, you thought this country girl a trick or two on being streetwise.
You loved eating at Nando's, "my guilty pleasure" you called it. Our no destination drives around the suburbs.
Trips to London will just never be the same! You always had a story to tell , there was never a silent moment between us ,
we would talk for hours and hours and wonder where the time went.

At Darren's last fight in London ,after an impressive match, he came out of his dressing room to be greeted by a mass of his adoring fans, a champion once again.
He was exhausted and ready for bed ,but instead of making a quick exit like many others would have, he took time to speak to each individual person and stood for endless photographs. I stood with his dear friend Bryan as we watched in amazement at how giving he was ,a true legend in action, everybody loved him and that was Darren, he was above
nobody and treated everyone with equal respect.

At dinner that night, you could see the immense pride that Darren's family felt for him as we sat chatting and laughing as we ate.
Darren had the ability to make the simplest of occasions an event just by being present.

We all knew of Darren's love for his boxing but his first and foremost love was for his family , his loving mum and dad , Tony and Lynda and his two beautiful sisters, Nicole and Shaneika whom he absolutely adored. The strongest family unit of any people I
have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
He constantly spoke of them all and of how blessed he felt that he had such special people to call his family.

Darren had so many different dimensions to his character, he was this incredible sportsman but behind the professional persona was the most gentle and loving soul.
People constantly told him "you're too nice to be a boxer".
He was a very deep thinker and often analysed things.
He was so so intelligent, he could do anything he put his mind to and he would do it with sheer discipline,dedication and determination.
He was a perfectionist.
Darren was beyond unique and there will never be another like him.
He loved music, he had to have it on all the time , in the kitchen ,in the bedroom, on the TV , his IPod, in the car ,
"the louder the better, turn it up turn it up" he would say.

He did his country proud on so many occasions and for that he will never be forgotten. He had so many underlying ambitions, all of which I know for sure he would have aced had he not left this earth so soon.

I will miss everything about you Darren, your wise words, your big warm hugs, your hearty laugh, our private jokes, how we used to laugh at how strangely alike we were in our thinking, I'll miss just sitting with you doing nothing but enjoying your company,we shared such a special trust and understanding that I will cherish forever.
My words are written with tears of disbelief that this is real.I want to wake up.

My life has been blessed, privileged and enriched just knowing you.
I am so greatful to have been a part of your life.
The world is so much dimmer without you here Darren but I know that heaven is shinning so much brighter because of you.
Thank you for being my best friend and so much more,I miss you so so much, I'll go on praising you until my last breath of life

My love to you always Darren from the bottom of my heart

Hazel xxx

i remember i was singing in my first school show in st.peters college and i was a wee bit nervous and darren was also performing as sean paul! i was shaking before i went on stage and he gave me a little nudge and said dont worry youll be fine! he was such an inspiration to me since then and to the rest of my school! i no longer get nervous on stage and i am now studying music performance in college!