EARLIER this month, over 1000 people turned out at Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Club to remember Bethany Branson.

A memorial match was played on Friday, November 10, the Bridgwater rugby community remembered the spirited and passionate lady who tragically died last year.

Bethany's team played against Wiveliscombe Ladies and the turn out was beyond staggering.

Cars were queued as far back as the Cross Rifles roundabout to get into the club and although the match ended sooner than it was supposed to due to an injury to one of Wiveliscombe players, there was 50 minutes of amazing rugby refereed by Ben (Bethany's Dad) with assistant referees sent from the Somerset Referees Society.

A minutes silence was held before the game and fireworks were let off afterwards.

READ MORE: Family of Bethany Branson vow to keep her memory alive

The organising group were donated a staggering 178 raffle prizes and auction prizes which included so many very kind donations from Jonny Wilkinson and his Mum, many golf days, a British and Irish Lions shirt, a Bath signed Shirt, A Tom Abel SCC shirt signed by the team, an Exeter Chiefs signed shirt, and many more items.

Amy Branson said: "The most humbling one was a signed World Cup 23 t-shirt from Danielle 'Nolli' Waterman who was at the World Cup and had chatted with the other legendary commentators about Bethany and they signed a t-shirt for our auction which blew us away.

"Bethany would have loved the fact that she was 'famous' and talked about with so many of rugby's greatest."

Amy added: "We were so grateful to our local community who held us up at this incredible sad time and supported us in so many ways.

"Our world is so sad and quiet without Bethany but the love and support we have received helps us put one foot in front of the other."

Bethany's family have also started a petition agreed by the government to give more powers and to be supported in law for to landlords to take away keys from customers who go to get in their cars when drunk.

Learn more about the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/642321

The family have said they would love Bethany's legacy to live on through this campaign too.

The fundraiser raised an incredible £16,500 which is an amount beyond our wildest dreams and will be split between St Giles Animal Rescue Centre (where she volunteered), Wooden Spoon (the children's charity of rugby).

Amy Branson finished by saying: "We have had so many messages of support sine the match and look forward to doing it all over again at the end of 2024!"