MOURNERS have gathered to pay their respects to a football mad schoolgirl, 10, who was hit and killed by a car on a pitch.
Poppy Atkinson died on March 5 after a black BMW i4 crashed through a perimeter fence separating the pitches at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria.
Cumbria PolicePoppy Atkinson died in the horror collision in Kendal on March 5[/caption]
PAThe hearse carrying the coffin of 10-year-old Poppy Atkinson[/caption]
PAMourners line the streets ahead of the funeral[/caption]
PAPeople were asked to wear red or a football shirt to reflect the youngsters dream of one day playing for Manchester United[/caption]
Children and adults looked on in horror as the car drove down a 3ft drop from a car park and hit Poppy and another girl aged eight.
They were both rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save young Poppy.
Mourners gathered today to pay their respect as her funeral cortege made its way to Kendal Parish Church.
Her primary school, Old Hutton Church of England has also closed for the day.
A spokesperson said: “We hope that this will enable as many people as possible to pay their respects to Poppy and to be there to help support her family and friends, all of whom remain in our prayers at this time.”
People were invited to line the pavements to create “a sea of love”, as Poppy’s coffin passed by.
They were also asked to wear red or a football shirt to reflect the youngsters dream of one day playing for Manchester United.
The youngster’s coffin sported a poignant artist’s impression of the youngster, 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 shirts with the number 10 and Poppy on the back.
Mourners formed a “guard of honour” in the church grounds where earlier four young boys with “Poppy” football shirts kicked around a football.
Inside, tributes to the talented footballer were read out by her parents, her headteacher at Old Hutton CE Primary School, Nick Turley, and one of her local football coaches, Corey Smith.
Classmates from the school’s choir sang a pop medley for the congregation in her honour.
Other music played was Anna Kendrick’s Get Back Up Again from The Trolls movie soundtrack, Can You Die From A Broken Heart? by Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne and the service’s closing tune 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”.
Later hundreds applauded as the funeral procession would its way through Highgate in the town centre.
The family thanked the local community and “strangers afar” for their support.
A private burial followed.
Poppy’s devastated family previously paid an emotional tribute with a statement which read: “Poppy was the focal point of our lives, everything for us revolved around Poppy’s love for football.
PAThe order of service for the funeral of Poppy is displayed through a car window[/caption]
PAThe funeral is being held at Kendal Parish Church[/caption]
Cumbria PoliceManchester United fan Poppy with her brother Edward Atkinson[/caption]
“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% 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.”
Lioness stars Leah Williamson and Ella Toone also paid tribute to the 10-year-old.
This comes after Cumbria Police arrested the driver of a black BMW, a man in his 40s, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The force confirmed earlier this month the man, from Lancaster, has now been released under investigation.
PAHer funeral cortege made its way to Kendal Parish Church[/caption]
PAKendal Rugby Club in Cumbria[/caption]
PAThe sports pitch where Poppy was tragically struck by a car[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
