A 10-year-old girl who was fatally hit by a car on a football pitch is due to be laid to rest today, as the school she attended closes.
Poppy Atkinson was taking part in a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on March 5 when she was hit and killed. Poppy was “100 per cent determined to be a professional footballer”, according to her family, and had a “determination to improve and win”. She played for Kendal United’s U12 girls team and Morecambe girls and was a huge fan of footballers Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Kobbie Mainoo.
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Cumbria Police were called to reports of the crash involving a black BMW i4 and two children on a sports pitch at the rugby club. Now, those who knew and loved little Poppy will gather at Kendal Parish Church to pay their respects to the “force of nature”.
Attendees lined the pavements in Kendal, with many wearing something red, or any football shirt in her memory. Her two uncles, who have raised almost £50,000 in her memory, urged well-wishers to wear red in her memory as it was the colour of her favourite team – Manchester United. It was her dream to play for the club.
Her funeral cortege passed through the town of Kendal before arriving at the church, where the family held a private service. Mourners watched on in silence, some wiping away tears, as the youngster’s coffin passed. It included a poignant artist’s impression of the young girl, with a football by her side, in a poppy field looking ahead to Old Trafford’s ‘Theatre of Dreams’ stadium with the sun on the horizon.
Poppy’s parents, Ben and Clare, and seven-year-old brother Edward, joined other family members and friends in the congregation at Kendal Parish Church. Also in attendance were players and officials from local junior football teams, with many wearing Manchester United shifts with the number 10 and Poppy on the back.
Mourners formed a ‘guard of honour’ in the church grounds, where earlier four young boys wearing ‘Poppy’ football shirts were seen kicking a football around. Her service opened with the song ‘Get Back Up Again’ by Anna Kendrick from the Trolls movie. The service is expected to include a reading of ‘Poppy’s Song’ by her parents, Ben and Clare, as well as tributes from one of Poppy’s coaches, Corey Smith, and headteacher, Nick Turley.
A performance of pop songs took place place from her primary school’s Young Voices Choir, with ‘Can You Die From a Broken Heart?’ by Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne also playing before the service closes with ‘Beautiful Things’ by Benson Boone. On the front of the order of service was a photograph of Poppy playing football with the accompanying message ‘Dare to Dream’.
Hundreds applauded as the funeral procession wound its way through Highgate in the town centre. A private burial followed the moving service. Poppy’s primary school, Old Hutton Church of England School in Kendal, said after speaking with parents, pupils and staff, “it was right that the school does not open.” A spokesperson added: “We hope that this will enable as many people as possible to pay their respects to Poppy and be there to help support her family and friends, all of whom remain in our prayers at this time.”
A 40-year-old man from Lancaster was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash but was later released under investigation. Players and coaches from Kendal United Football Club are said to have witnessed what was described as a “horrific event”.
Poppy’s family paid tribute following the football-mad girl’s death, saying: “Poppy was the focal point of our lives, everything for us revolved around Poppy’s love for football. 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.
“Poppy was 100 per cent determined to be a professional footballer. 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 Manchester United. Poppy idolised Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Mainoo and Messi to name a few. Poppy was a small, petite and beautiful 10-year-old, yet she played up an age group and proudly represented the Kendal United and county U-12 teams.
“Poppy earned her place through her determination and her technical mastery on the pitch, her skill was envied by most that she played with and against. Poppy was sister to 7-year-old Edward. Edward worshipped the ground Poppy walked on, he only ever wanted to be like her. Poppy would coach and support Edward with his football, it was so beautiful to see.
“The hole in our lives and so many around us that Poppy leaves is enormous, we will never be whole again. This world has lost a spirit like no other, she was a force of nature. She was so special, she was too good for this world.”
Organised by uncles Gary Gregory and Thomas Atkinson, a Go Fund Me page has raised £49,397. It is to support the funding of Poppy’s memorial, as well as grassroots football teams across the UK. In a message to those who donated, her family said: “Poppy was the focal point of our lives, everything for us revolved around Poppy’s love for football.
“The hole in our lives and so many around us that Poppy leaves is enormous, we will never be whole again. This world has lost a spirit like no other, she was a force of nature. She was so special, she was too good for this world.” Her uncles added: “Together, we honour a girl whose light will never fade.”
