Do It For Sophie

Hey there! My name is Alex, and I am participating in this year’s Great South Run, taking place on the 19th of October, and running 10 Miles to raise money for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

Please take a moment to read about the foundation:

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, simply because of the way the looked. 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.

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 charity works to promote tolerance and acceptance for others – however they are different, and champion alternative people in their communities. The Foundation’s mission to Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere, can be summed up in one word - S.O.P.H.I.E.

Sylvia very sadly and unexpectedly died on 12 April 2022. Her legacy is that Sophie will never be forgotten. For the last fifteen years of her life, Sylvia tirelessly worked to combat prejudice and intolerance and in doing so, changed the Hate Crime landscape forever. We are very proud of all she achieved and will do all we can to continue her work in fighting prejudice and supporting the alternative community.

This cause means a lot to me, as those of you who know me personally will know I am also a member of the alternative community, just like Sophie, and an attack like that could happen to me.

No one should have to leave their house fearing for their life, just because of the clothes they wear.

A bit about me:

I first learnt about what happened to Sophie around 10 years ago, when I was just 12 years old, starting out on my alternative journey.

You can imagine the fear and anger my mother and I felt. But instead of changing who I was I decided to express myself further and Do It For Sophie.

I am now 22 and not a day has gone by where I haven’t thought of Sophie, her memory is kept alive in the clothes I wear, the music I listen to, my style of makeup and my community.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this message, that already means so much, any donation will be greatly appreciated, and 100% of it will go towards the foundation.

I have been tirelessly training for the GSR since January this year, and every time I have felt like giving up have told myself

“Do It For Sophie”

So please, if you can, do think about donating, and support me in reaching my goal of £200 and help make a difference for the Alt community.

It would greatly help the work of the foundation branch out and keep Sophie’s name and Sylvia’s work alive.

#DoItForSophie