Over £10,000 raised at second Bethany Branson Memorial Match

The stands at Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Football Club (BARFC) were packed with hundreds of supporters, as over 55 ladies took to the pitch for the evening rugby match. 30 past and present players from BARFC took part, along with 20 Wooden Spoon BaaBaas ladies from across the country.

Bethany’s mother, Amy Branson said: “To see the ground filled with so many people was incredibly emotional and meant so, so much to us - Bethany friends and family, and her incredible second family (her BARFC ladies).”

“We know that nothing can ever fix just how heart-breaking life is without Bethany in it, but, being able to do something so positive and wonderful in Bethany’s name, to honour her, to keep her memory alive, and her legacy of giving going, really does give us some strength at this toughest time of year.”

Bethany Branson, 19, tragically passed away following a three-car collision in November 2022. The driver of the vehicle which caused her death was jailed for 10 years in January 2023.

The Memorial Match is particularly poignant for the family, as it takes place in the same month that features Road Safety Week. This year, the event which runs from 17 to 23 November, focusses on the devastating impact of road accidents.

Amy continued: “I struggle to call what happened to Bethany an accident. We have had people message us to say they longer have one drink when they go out if they are driving home, and we have had people in hospitality who have messaged us to say they remind people of Bethany’s ‘story’ and people have then phoned a taxi.”

“To save even one family from the devastation of what we are going through again helps us move through the pain of what’s happened to us all. As the judge said at sentencing 'Bethany was destined for a life of giving' and we are determined to keep continuing to do good in the world in her name, to keep her legacy going and her memory alive.”

The Memorial Match raised £10,350 for two charities.