Poppy Atkinson memorial fund could help others (Image: Cumbria Constabulary / SWNS)
Heartbroken relatives of a 10 year-old aspiring footballer killed when a car crashed onto her soccer pitch are fundraising for a lasting memorial – to help other young girls’ sporting dreams. Poppy Atkinson tragically died, and an eight year-old girl injured, when the out-of-control black BMW smashed through the fence at Kendal Rugby Club, in Cumbria, on Wednesday evening during her training session.
A 40-year-old man from Lancaster, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been released pending further investigations by Cumbria Police. Last weekend football clubs of all levels paid tribute with a minute’s silence – while Women’s captain Maya Le Tissier held up a shirt with Poppy’s name on it after her side’s first goal in their FA Cup victory over Sunderland.
Poppy and her bnrother Edward Atkinson (Image: Cumbria Constabulary / SWNS)
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Now an online fundraiser has been created by Popy’s uncles Gary Gregory and Thomas Atkinson, to help toeards both memorial costs and to support UK grassroots football teams.
By Monday morning the fund was over £24,000 – to donate visit the link .
In a post on Facebook – including Poppy’s parents Clare and Ben Atkinson – uncle Gary Gregory wrote: “On Wednesday we lost our beautiful Poppy who was sadly hit by a car at football training at the rugby club.
“I have read every message on this community and all of your kind words and support have blown us all away. Thank you!!
“If anyone would like to donate then please do so using this link. If you are unable to donate then can I personally ask you to share this on your page, that will be more than enough. Thank you.”
Poppy’s family have described her as “force of nature” who wanted to grow up to be a professional footballer and dreamed of playing for the women’s team.
In a statement released last week, they said: “Many who know her, and who know her determination to improve and win, had no doubt she would achieve her goal to one day to play for .
“She was so special, she was too good for this world.
“Poppy touched so many lives, it was easy to see why, her energy, character, spirit and passion for football was infectious and touched huge numbers of people.
“The hole in our lives and so many around us that Poppy leaves is enormous, we will never be whole again.”
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Minute’s silence before Chelsea v Crystal Palace – The Adobe Women’s FA Cup Quarter Final (Image: Getty)
Poppy played for Kendal United’s U12 girls team and Morecambe Girls.
Kendal United described her as “our much loved player”, saying her “love for football shone through to all who met her and she was an inspiration to her teammates”.
Morecambe FC said she would “always remain part of the Shrimps family”.
Messages of condolence have also been sent from some of the England Women’s team, including Georgia Stanway who is from Barrow.
On social media, her fellow Lioness Ella Toone described Poppy’s death as “heartbreaking”.
At the time of the incident, police said there was “no indication” to suggest it had been a deliberate act.
An eight-year-old girl, also from Kendal, was taken to hospital for treatment, but her injuries were not life-threatening.
View of Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria after tragedy (Image: PA)