Safety measures have been enhanced at Kendal Rugby Club following the death of young footballer Poppy Atkinson.
The 10-year-old suffered fatal injuries when she was hit by a car that crashed through metal fencing and onto the artificial pitch during a football training session.
Now a series of concrete barriers have been installed along the length of the playing area after a number of businesses from West Cumbria joined forces.
Reg Burrow, a director at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club, said: “The terrible loss of Poppy has had a profound effect on our club, and of course the wider community.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Poppy’s family and friends as they try to make sense of their unthinkable loss.
“In light of the incident, we have, of course, reviewed safety measures at the club and we are indebted to the kindness of the various businesses who came together to provide and install the concrete barriers at no cost to the club, ensuring the pitches are better protected.”
A total of 30 vertical 2.5 tonne concrete barriers have been laid along the 100m length of the artificial pitches at the rugby club.
The works has been funded by Sellafield’s delivery partners from The Decommissioning Alliance, i3 Decommissioning Partners and ADAPT joint ventures.
The significant task of installing them was carried out by a team from Forth – which has bases in Flimby, Cleator Moor and Barrow – and Clemmy Mossop of MCS.
Chris Shepherd, framework director at TDA is good friends with Dan Bowman, head of operations in Legacy Ponds at Sellafield and a coach at Kendal Rugby Union FC.
It was a conversation between the two men that led to the business community of West Cumbria coming together to supply and install the barriers.
Chris said: “In no circumstance would a parent expect to take their child to play the sport they love, and that child not return home. What happened to Poppy was a tragedy beyond words.
“When we learned there was a way we could help the club in the aftermath of this unthinkable incident, we did not hesitate.
“Despite the size of the county, the Cumbrian community is uniquely connected and the businesses who have contributed to this effort did so because they care and were in the position to do a good thing.
“Sport is so important for young people; it builds fitness, resilience, and skills for later life. The thought that perhaps many may not return to the club because they were scared did not sit well.
“Of course, the new barriers will not bring Poppy back. But they will prevent a repeat of this tragedy and hopefully bring a sense of safety to children and their parents in future.”
The town of Kendal came out in force as Poppy was laid to rest last month. Hundreds of people wearing football shirts lined the streets to celebrate her life.
Football clubs across the country – including her beloved Manchester United – also paid tribute to the talented young footballer.
Graham Cartwright is projects director at Forth who sourced the barriers and donated their time to install them.
He said: “Like many people, I was shocked by the tragic events that led to Poppy’s death. It was a terrible incident with utterly tragic consequences.
“Cumbria is a large county, but we are a small community and there was no hesitation on my part, or that of my close colleagues, to help make this happen.
“Hopefully the barriers will ensure a safer future for the thousands of young people who will use this pitch over the years.”
