the sophie lancaster foundation
It was with huge shock and sadness that we announced the death of Sylvia
Lancaster on 12 April 2022. Her loss is profound. WELCOME Sophie Lancaster was a
young woman who was murdered for being different. She and her boyfriend were
creative, artistic people who dressed in their own unique way. They were
attacked by a gang of five boys in a park in Bacup, 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 following medical advice, the family agreed to life support being
switched off. Sophie died on 24 August 2007; she was just 20 years old. Sophie’s
mother, Sylvia, had seen at first-hand the abuse and prejudice her daughter had
previously been subjected to, because of how she dressed. During the long hours
at hospital, Sylvia decided that 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.
