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Poppy Atkinson's school in Kendal closes for her funeral

Poppy Atkinson's school in Kendal closes for her funeral

BBC News24-03-2025
The school attended by a 10-year-old girl who was fatally struck by a car on a football pitch is closing for the day of her funeral.Poppy Atkinson was attending a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on 5 March when she was hit by the car.Old Hutton Church of England School said after speaking to parents, pupils and staff it had decided "it was right that the school does not open on Monday"."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 who remain in our prayers at this time," a spokesperson said.
Poppy's family described her as a "force of nature" whose "passion for football was infectious".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.
Her school said it was considering honouring Poppy's memory through her love of football."As a school community we all remain heartbroken by the death of our much-loved pupil Poppy Atkinson," a school spokesperson said."Poppy's tremendous footballing talent has been well documented in recent days, and it may be that as a school community we are able to do something in her memory which reflects this. "We would want to ensure that whatever we chose to do in lasting memory of Poppy is what her family would want too and we would liaise with them thoroughly about any such memorial."
A 40-year-old man from Lancaster was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving at the time but has since been released while investigations continue.
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