Ulverston Rugby Team dresses in pink for game in memory of girl

Lauren Atkinson's memorial game is set to take place on June 29 at Dragley Back in Ulverston.

The event is in memory of the girl from Ulverston who died in 2016 at the age of 19 - just a week before her 20th birthday.

Lauren Atkinson (Image: Nigel Atkinson)

The game is Ulverston versus Dalton and it is set to start at 2pm.

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Nigel Atkinson, Lauren's father and a former Ulverston Rugby Club chairman, said: "Lauren spent a great deal of time down there because obviously I was involved and her brother Sam was playing. She was always there watching.

"When she passed away the club decided that they would order an annual memorial game. The lads would then play in a pink kit for that one game only - this has been going on now for seven years.

"We get a lot of friends and family come down to watch the game and the whole idea is just to have an enjoyable day and obviously the club makes a few quid for having the event so it works for everybody."

Team dressed in pink in last year's game (Image: Nigel Atkinson)

Mr Atkinson explained the event brings people from 'all over' including those from Barrow and Dalton.

"There are a lot of people that I know and people who knew Lauren. We usually get 300 people in the club if the weather is good," he said.

Tosh Whinfield, chairman of Ulverston Rugby Club, said that the event was 'always very well supported' by the community of Ulverston.

He said: "It is respectful, it is appropriate and although there is an element of sadness people always seem to appreciate the day and enjoy themselves whilst appreciating the reason why people are there. 

"The attendance of the game is always very healthy."

The memorial game is open to all who would like to watch it.

For more information about the event visit Ulverston Rugby Club Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/UlverstonRugby