Poppy Atkinson appeal sees thousands raised

More than £23,000 has been raised in memory of a 10-year-old girl killed when a car crashed on to a pitch where she was playing football.

Poppy Atkinson was attending a training session at Kendal Rugby Club, in Cumbria, on Wednesday evening.

A 40-year-old man from Lancaster, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been released while Cumbria Police continues its investigation.

Football clubs of all levels paid tribute to the youngster over the weekend with a minute’s silence, while Manchester United 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.

An online fundraiser was set up by her uncles Gary Gregory and Thomas Atkinson, with the donated money to be used to cover the costs of a memorial, as well as supporting grassroots football teams across the UK.

Poppy’s family have described her as “force of nature” who wanted to grow up to be a professional footballer.

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 Manchester United.

“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.”

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.