A MEMORIAL football match will be played in memory of a 'kind and compassionate' police woman who passed away last year.

The organisers have planned the match in memory of their 'friend, team mate and colleague' Andrea Buggy, who sadly passed away a year ago this month.

The Allerdale Wildcats and a Ladies' team from officers and staff of Cumbria Constabulary (The Blue Devils) will be playing a charity football match to remember her and to raise money for 'Every Life Matters'.

Aiden Bew, Dog Section Sergeant at Cumbria Police and a friend of Andrea said: "The charity was very close to Andrea's heart and now the family's.

"If it's a success then we would be looking at making it an annual event."

The event is a way to mark the detective constable's passing for those of her friends both in the police and the Allerdale Ladies. Lockdown and other restrictions stopped people from doing so last year.

Aiden said: "Due to Covid we weren't able to mark Andrea's passing so now we have come out of it a bit we are looking to do something.

"There was definitely a void left when we couldn't do anything to mark her passing."

Andrea was a popular police officer who was also well respected in football circles locally; she played for Workington Reds and latterly Allerdale Wildcats.

Talking about what the memorial match would have meant to Andrea, Aiden said: "Andrea's whole life was about football. She was involved so much in this counties football; it was a huge part of her life.

"She would've wanted to be a part of this if she was around."

The Dog Section Sergeant for Cumbria Police paid tribute to his great friend and colleague.

He said: "She was lovely, Andrea was a very kind and compassionate person."

The match will take 1pm on Saturday, October 2 at Workington Cricket Club, with the club bar open until 5pm for anyone who wishes to attend the event.

All donations to the event will be made to 'Every Life Matters'.

To donate you can visit the event's Justgiving page.