The death of Nathan Cuthbertson touched the city. The young para was just 19 when he was killed in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan last June.

His family, including parents Tom and Carla from Tunstall, Sunderland, are still coming to terms with the loss of their son.

But Nathan's loss was also felt by the many serving and ex-servicemen in Wearside and East Durham, particularly those who have worn the maroon beret of the parachute regiment.

You do not have to look far in Sunderland to find an ex-para as the city has long been a key recruiting ground for the regiment.

After serving their country they are now back serving their communities as firemen, police officers, youth workers and in other roles.

Among them is Falklands veteran Colin Charlton, a family friend of the Cuthbertsons and secretary of the Sunderland branch of the Parachute Regiment Association (PRA).

The 52-year-old from East Moorside said Wearside's strong links with the regiment were in part down to the work of ex-para community in Sunderland.

He said: "Sunderland and the surrounding area provide the regiment with a large recruiting base.

"I think the main factors are that the regiment has a TA unit in Hebburn, the local PRA Association and the well represented Remembrance Day Parade in November."

Nathan was just one of the many young men from Sunderland to join the parachute regiment and sadly one of those to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Colin watched Nathan grow up and is now determined to make sure he is always remembered. Last year he founded the annual Cuthy's 200 bike ride – a 200-mile, 24-hour marathon tour of the North East in memory of Nathan.

The gruelling route does not attract as many entrants as the Great North Run and Great North 10k – and you definitely do not want to do it dressed as the Pink Panther carrying a charity bucket.

But Colin said the challenging nature of the event was what made it a fitting tribute to a para.

He said: "The ride itself is an endurance event and represents the hard physical training that parachute regiment recruits must attain and retain to become members of the regiment.

"It also gives members of the public a challenge to achieve what they may consider something completely out of their physical capabilities."

He added: "What drives me is keeping Nathan's memory alive. The ride is going to be an annual event and every year we're hoping to make it bigger and better."

For Carla and Tom Cuthbertson, reaching the end of Cuthy's 200 will be an especially emotional moment.

The couple are looking forward to taking part in this year's ride and dad Tom, 40, himself an ex-para, said they were delighted at what was being done in their son's memory.

"We feel really proud of what everybody is doing and feel proud of our Nathan and how much he is appreciated for his sacrifice and what he has done and what others are doing to make the world a better place."

Tom and Carla, who have two other sons, Connon, 15, and Blaine, 16, hope to raise thousands in memory of Nathan.

They are also part of the Brothers in Arms campaign to erect a permanent memorial in Sunderland to the North East's fallen heroes who have lost their lives in recent conflicts.

In June they met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Armed Forces Minister Kevan Jones to discuss the campaign while visiting Downing Street as guests of Washington West MP Sharon Hodgson.

The PM said it was an honour to meet the couple and gave his backing to the campaign.

Around 20 riders took part in Cuthy's 200 last year, raising £3,000 Airborne Services Security Fund. Colin hopes to raise even more at this year's event, with the money going to the Not Forgotten Association which supports disabled ex-servicemen and women.

This year will also see the parachute regiment freefall team the Red Devils perform an airborne spectacular in honour of their fallen comrade as the riders return to Sunderland.

The jump is the centre piece of a family fun day at Ashbrooke Sports Club, expected to pull in a 4,000-strong crowd.

Colin hopes many of the people visiting Sunderland for the Great North 10k run will come across to the event at Ashbrooke after the finish of the race.

Read more in today's Echo