The Sophie Lancaster Story & The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was murdered for being different. She and her boyfriend Rob were creative, artistic people who dressed in their own unique way which was more accustomed to the alternative music scene. They were sadly attacked by a gang of five boys in a park in Lancashire on 11 August 2007. The gang attacked Sophie’s boyfriend first and then turned on her, carrying out a brutal and sustained attack. Sophie remained in hospital for 13 days, before her family following medical advice agreed to life support being switched off.

Sophie died on 24 August 2007; she was just 20 years old. There was a heart breaking program made by the BBC titled "Murdered for being different" back in 2017 and it followed Sophie's story and was made to honour Sophie and raise awareness.

I first discovered the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and about Sophie and her story through this BBC program and I was shocked, devastated and filled with anger, because it's a story that hits close to home with myself and I can resonate with, as I'm very much apart of the alternative music scene and have been bullied and beaten up in school for the music tastes I have and for the way I have looked. I felt so angry because these five boys could have just left things be and walked away done nothing and everyone would have walked away just fine but they went too far and no one especially Sophie deserved that attack and it makes my blood boil to this day that this would happen and has happened to Sophie and to others too.

Sophie’s mother, Sylvia had decided during the long hours at hospital when Sophie was better, they would go into schools and talk to young people about difference, and how it is ok to be who you are and express yourself in your own way. Sadly, Sylvia never got a chance to do this with Sophie. Sylvia was determined that she would carry on this work and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to a beautiful life cut short by violence.

THE SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION

STAMP OUT PREJUDICE, HATRED AND INTOLERANCE EVERYWHERE.

The Sophie Lancaster charity works to promote tolerance and acceptance for others however different. The Foundation’s mission is to stamp out prejudice hatred and intolerance everywhere. When news of the attack broke donations was sent to Sophie's home and many events, concerts got set up and raised money for the foundation and to also raise awareness. The foundation also notably worked with Coronation Street for a recent storyline on the tv program. 

The Foundation was registered as a charity in 2009, their goals are as follows; To create a lasting legacy to 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.

In 2013, Greater Manchester Police became the first police force in the country to monitor hate crimes and incidents against alternative people. It is a huge achievement for the charity that a total of 18 police forces in England and Wales now do so. The charity regularly participates in conferences, events and schools and even prisons to spread Sophie's word and legacy to teach others the devastating impact of their negative words and violence towards others and to share Sophie's story. In hopes to educate others to do better and to be kind.

R. I. P Sophie Lancaster

R. I. P. Sylvia Lancaster 

(Sylvia recently passed away as I was writing this blog post. She will be very much missed. She was a truly remarkable woman. She made a difference in this world. Rest in Peace Sylvia.)

Please share and raise awareness

Please be kind and gentle to everyone out there.

Thanks for reading,

Stay Shiny!