Hello Everyone,
this is from Sophie's Mum, Sylvia

Sophie sadly died on August 24th 2007, following the horrific attack on her and her partner Rob in Stubbeylee Park, Bacup,Lancashire on the 11th August. Sophie and Rob dressed in their unique way, expressing their individuality as creative artistic people.

I have consulted with both family and friends and we feel that Sophie's Memorial Fund should be set up. Alongside the fund we haved launched a campaign for Sophie; it will be known as S.O.P.H.I.E
This stands for:

S tamp
Out
Prejudice
Hatred +
Intolerance
Everywhere

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation will be run by a committee of family and close friends who knew Sophie. The aims of the Foundation will be to provide an appropriate memorial; a lasting legacy to raise awareness of the injustice perpetrated against Sophie Lancaster and to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society.

> Please help us reach as many as possible, here are ways to donate: * Direct to the The Sophie Lancaster Foundation bank account: Lloyds TSB, account number 12406360 sort code 30-11-48 * Via cheque. Please make the cheque payable to The Sophie Lancaster Memorial Fund and send it to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, 12 Bury Road, Haslingden, Lancashire BB4 5PL or through PAYPAL on the website: www.sophielancasterfoundation.com these can be used to make a donation or in which to deposit any funds raised from events.

for more details please email the hotmail address below. An on-line book of condolence can be signed by going to www.legacy.com/TheRossendaleFreePress and type in Sophie Lancaster

The family can be contacted at: inmemoryofsophie@hotmail.co.uk
thank you for reading this and supporting the campaign.





UPDATE

The trial of Brendan Harris started on the 10th March 2008 after Ryan Herbert pleaded to the murder of Sophie.
The trial lasted three weeks and Harris was found guilty unanimously by the jury after only a short deliberation.

Sentencing took place on the 28th April 2008 , where Harris received an 18 year term and Herbert a 16 year term. Both were life sentences.

All five defendants including brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme and Daniel Mallett also had pleaded guilty to the Section 18 Assault with intent of Rob, and were given 5.5 years and 4.5 years respectively. They were sentenced as "Dangerous Offenders" under the 2003 Dangerous Offenders Act and will be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure until it is deemed that they are no longer a threat to the public.

It was announced in June that they are all to seek leave to appeal against their sentences.
Thankfully in October 2009 this was unsuccessful, Ryan Herbert did get a 9 month reduction, but they all lost their appeal against the attack and murder being a hate crime and their appeal against them being deemed as "dangerous" was lost.
Following the trial we have established THE SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION. Through the Foundation we will raise awareness of the prejudice and violence faced by people from alternative subcultures. We will develop and deliver workshops tackling the issues and challenging pre-conceptions. hopefully starting in the summer term 2010. We will continue the social and political campaigning in the same dignified manner we have adhered to since the attack on Sophie and Rob though the S.O.P.H.I.E. Campaign.

As of April, over £30,000 has been raised through the fantastic efforts of many people throughout the UK and beyond. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness in organising and supporting these events.

In 2009 we were awarded £30,000 by the Criminal Community Cashback Fund, where the assets taken from criminals is awarded to organisations who are tackling the anti-social behaviour that blights our society. We received the most votes in Lancashire and have been working in partnership the Criminal Justice Board.
In October 2009, Sylvia was invited to join the Government's Hate Crime Advisory Board. This is of huge importance as it places The Sophie Lancaster Foundation at the heart of policy.
We have been at times overwhelmed by your generosity of spirit. This has encouraged us to carry on our work during the most difficult of times.

We would like to express our sincere thanks for your continued support



Sylvia Lancaster and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation Committee.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMWVPfFPug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUiAwCP0Ocg

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie#ixzz14K7yEEqw

darkangel_sophie_lancaster_foundation.mov

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW2ve6_BkRA

Mother Of Murdered Goth Girl Talks To Sky News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInktucTxqM

BBC News - Teenager Denies Sophie Lancaster Murder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQ7yWTD0KA

BEHOLDER - NEVER TAKE US DOWN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvJ8XJ9n_w8

WSITN: The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTzQcUajqpM



This is a photo of Sophie aged 3

Sophie's killers

Dead eyes: 15-year-old Brendan Harris, left, and Ryan Herbert, 16, were convicted of Sophie's murder