Respects paid to Aldershot, Farnham & District athletes

Tributes have been paid to Stacey Burrows and Lucy Pygott, the teenage Aldershot, Farnham and District athletes who were tragically killed in an incident while training last week. Silences were observed at a wide range of events including the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca in Spain where England teams were competing, the Hampshire Cross Country League in Bournemouth, and the British Athletics Cross Challenge fixture in Milton Keynes.

Lucy had been due to compete in Spain and a silence was observed in memory of Lucy and Stacey. Many of their AFD club mates gathered together at the Hampshire League. Athletes at these and numerous other events wore black ribbons when competing over the weekend as a mark of respect to the two athletes.

Aldershot, Farnham and District paid tribute to the athletes in a statement last week saying, “Stacey and Lucy, were highly valued members of our club and played a huge role in the recent success of AFD including last weekend’s National Cross Country Relays where the club took 5 out of the 10 titles awarded. The club is absolutely devastated to lose such amazing, talented young athletes. Our thoughts and prayers are with the two families who are being supported by the police family liaison team.
“As a club we are humbled by the many messages of support that have been received from across the world which further demonstrates the wealth of feeling and respect for these two young ladies within the athletic community.”

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of England Athletics commented, “All our thoughts are with the families, the club and all those affected by this terrible tragedy. We are working with the club to provide appropriate support for those affected.”