Cadey-Paige Butler, aged 18, who lives in Arbourthorne took part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at the FORGE Warehouse in Sheffield in December. She did so to raise funds for Bone Cancer Research Trust, Children with Cancer UK and the mental health charity Mind. 

Cadey-Paige’s decision to step into the ring was inspired by several events in her life, one of which was her partner’s grandfather being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, in 2024.

Cadey-Paige said: “I wanted to do something meaningful to support my partner and her family through this difficult time. It felt important to give back to an organisation that helps people coping in situations like theirs, as I knew first-hand how much of a devastating impact the disease has on so many lives.” 

Meanwhile, her own struggles and that of some of her family members with mental health was another source of inspiration for her fundraising, with her also deciding to support Mind. 

“I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life, and several of my family members have ongoing battles with their mental health. I knew that entering Ultra White Collar Boxing was going to be one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding.” 

She continued: “My grandma passed away during the training, which of course also affected my mental health. But every time I felt I couldn’t show up to training, I remembered who and what I was doing it for. The whole experience was an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and prove to myself that I can do hard things!”

Participants like Cadey-Paige are given the opportunity to take part in eight weeks of free professional boxing training at gyms, before a showcase event in front of hundreds or thousands of spectators. 

She trained at Ni Yai Muay Thai Sheffield, under the guidance of respected coach Kru Christian Di Paolo. 

Talking about the preparation, Cadey-Paige said: “The training made me take a look at my lifestyle. I managed to lose over a stone throughout the process, which made me feel so much more confident in my own skin. It also helped me with my mental health. Everyone I was training with was so supportive after my grandma passed – I felt like I’d built a new community of friends which was amazing.”

Cadey-Paige competed against Chloe Cox, aged 20, in a closely-contested match that ended in a draw. 

Talking of her experience on the night, she added: “To start with, my anxiety was definitely present, but I put my game face on and really gave it my all for the full six minutes. My walk-out song gave me the confidence I needed and acted as a good reminder of who I was there for.”

Cadey-Paige chose ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns N’ Roses as her walk out music, her father-in-law’s favourite song. She also had a big group of 20 people supporting her on the night, made up of family and friends.

Cadey-Paige loved the experience so much that she is going to sign up for another Ultra White Collar Boxing event later this year. 

When asked what he would say to anyone thinking about signing up, Cadey-Paige said: “Just do it, it is incredibly rewarding in every aspect. Yes, you might feel nervous, but it is good nerves and as soon as you step into the ring that completely melts away. A couple of months ago my social anxiety was at its worst, and now I am in my prime – I would do it again in a heartbeat!”

Participants like Cadey-Paige are asked to raise at least £50 for their chosen charity – a target she comfortably surpassed, raising £452 in total. 

So far, Ultra Events has raised a staggering £43.5million for charity. 

For anyone inspired by Cadey-Paige’s story to take part in Ultra White Collar Boxing, the next UWCB event in Sheffield takes place on 20 June, with training beginning 27 April. 

More information can be found here.