By Monk
Sylvia Lancaster, who spent the last 15 years campaigning against prejudice and intolerance, following the murder of her daughter Sophie in August 2007, has died suddenly.
According to a statement from the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, the charity she founded after her daughter’s murder, although she had been ill for some time, her death, in a Blackburn hospital early this morning (Tuesday 12 April), was “sudden and unexpected”.
The statement, published on the Foundation’s website and social media accounts, describes Sylvia as a “powerful life force”. It goes on to say:
Following Sophie’s brutal murder, Sylvia put her energy into championing people from alternative subcultures and creating educational programmes to tackle prejudice and intolerance. She worked tirelessly to combat the inaccurate and lazy stereotyping that all too often leads to violent prejudice and promoted a culture of celebrating difference; something that leads to safer communities for us all.
Sylvia was formidable. She challenged authority and fought for what she believed in. Her legacy is that Sophie will never be forgotten, and her daughter’s name will always represent her mission – to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.
She will be sadly missed.
There will be much to say over the course of the next few months. Initially all our thoughts are focused on supporting Adam and his family in the coming days and weeks. Hold those you love a little bit closer today.
We are finishing for the last time using Sylvia’s sign off.
Love and Light.
Sylvia’s death comes just a few weeks after Ryan Herbert, one of two people convicted of 20-year old Sophie’s murder in Bacup, Lancashire, was released from jail, having served just 14 and a half years.
- PHOTO CREDIT: Photograph courtesy of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.