The Sophie Lancaster Foundation
Sophie Lancaster was a young woman from the small town of Bacup, Lancashire in the United Kingdom. In the early hours of Saturday 11th August 2007, she and her boyfriend, 21 year-old Robert Maltby, were walking home through Stubbylee Park. They met with a group of teenage boys who suddenly attacked Robert without provocation. Sophie came to his defence, and the gang turned on her. The two of them were kicked about the head and body, and left comatose, in need of intensive hospital treatment. While Robert eventually came round, Sophie suffered severe brain damage, and when it became apparent she would never wake up, her family bravely agreed to switch off life support. She died on 24th August, thirteen days after the attack, aged 20.
The five attackers were later brought to court and sentenced for Sophie's murder. The only reason she and Robert had been targeted was because they dressed differently, in an alternative and individual way.
In wake of Sophie’s death, her mother Sylvia established the Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere campaign, which later evolved into the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. The charity has since gained supporters all over the world and from several big names, such as makeup brand Illamasqua and Kurt Cobain’s widow Courtney Love. Many bands have written songs in her honour, such as Delain, Beholder and Bad Pollyanna; and in 2009, the Bloodstock Open Air Festival renamed its second stage as The Sophie Lancaster Stage.
The Foundation works under three main branches:
• To create a lasting legacy for Sophie
• To provide educational group-works that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures
• To campaign to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from alternative subcultures or Lifestyle and Dress
In 2014, Sylvia Lancaster was awarded an OBE from Prince Charles, in recognition of her work in reduction of hate crime.
For more information on S.O.P.H.I.E., please visit the website by clicking here.
The five attackers were later brought to court and sentenced for Sophie's murder. The only reason she and Robert had been targeted was because they dressed differently, in an alternative and individual way.
In wake of Sophie’s death, her mother Sylvia established the Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere campaign, which later evolved into the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. The charity has since gained supporters all over the world and from several big names, such as makeup brand Illamasqua and Kurt Cobain’s widow Courtney Love. Many bands have written songs in her honour, such as Delain, Beholder and Bad Pollyanna; and in 2009, the Bloodstock Open Air Festival renamed its second stage as The Sophie Lancaster Stage.
The Foundation works under three main branches:
• To create a lasting legacy for Sophie
• To provide educational group-works that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures
• To campaign to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from alternative subcultures or Lifestyle and Dress
In 2014, Sylvia Lancaster was awarded an OBE from Prince Charles, in recognition of her work in reduction of hate crime.
For more information on S.O.P.H.I.E., please visit the website by clicking here.
Raising funds in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation:
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation are not involved in the organisation of this event.
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation are not involved in the organisation of this event.
Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred & Intolerance Everywhere