Tributes to ‘inspirational’ Sylvia Lancaster flood in following her sudden death 

Following the tragic news yesterday that Sophie Lancaster’s mum has passed away, tributes have been flooding in for the campaigner.

Sylvia Lancaster campaigned tirelessly following the murder of her daughter Sophie, who was kicked to death trying to protect her boyfriend when the couple were attacked for dressing as goths.

Sylvia devoted her life to running a foundation in Sophie’s name, with The Sophie Lancaster Foundation created to promote tolerance and stamp out prejudice and hatred.

Now the tributes have been pouring in, with people taking to social media to praise the incredible things she achieved since her daughter’s tragic death.

Former Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam wrote: “An amazing woman who, following the killing of her daughter Sophie fought for justice and created an amazing legacy to ensure her daughter’s name will always represent her mission – to stamp out prejudice, hatred & intolerance”.

Lancashire Police added: “We are shocked and saddened at Sylvia’s death. She worked tirelessly with us and many others to combat hate, prejudice and intolerance through @sophie_charity and to make sure Sophie’s legacy lives on. RIP Sylvia.”

Following her death, a statement on the foundation’s website read: “This is the hardest statement to write. It is with great shock and disbelief that we announce that Sylvia Lancaster has passed away. She died early this morning in Blackburn hospital.

“She had suffered from ill health for the last couple of years, but her death was sudden and unexpected. Sylvia had such a powerful life force; we cannot imagine a world without her in it.”

The tribute continued: “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, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation Team.”
 

Sylvia recently spoke of her disappointment, as her daughter’s murderer Ryan Herbert is set to be freed from prison.

Herbert was sixteen-years-old when he was jailed for life in 2008 for murdering Sophie, twenty, in a park in Bacup, Lancashire.

Sophie and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were attacked by Herbert and five other teenage boys on August 11th, 2007. Sophie bore the brunt of the attack as she attempted to protect Robert from the assault, which was believed to have been provoked over their goth appearances.

The couple were so badly beaten that when paramedics arrived, they could not tell if they were male or female.

Lancashire Police

Herbert admitted both murder and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and was given a minimum term of sixteen years and three months, though this was later reduced to fifteen and a half years.

Last month, it was announced that Herbert will be released from prison, with High Court judge Mr Justice William Davis concluding that he had made ‘exceptional progress’ behind bars.

Speaking to ITV News at the time, Sylvia said: “They haven’t done justice for our Sophie. All you want at the end of the day is justice.

“You don’t want anything out of the ordinary, you just want justice.”

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Reacting to the Parole Board’s conclusion that Herbert has made ‘significant changes to his life which reflected his remorse, his insight and increased maturity’, Sylvia said: “I hope he has. I hope he has for his sake and for society’s sake.

“We don’t want men walking round with vicious and ridiculous ideas about how he should behave.

“I do understand that people can change – and do change – but I think that we’ll sit back and see what happens.”