Mother of Sophie Lancaster and campaigner against hate crime has died
Sylvia Lancaster died unexpectedly in Blackburn Hospital yesterday morning
Last updated 13th Apr 2022
Sylvia Lancaster, the mum of Sophie Lancaster, who was attacked and killed in Bacup in 2007 for the way she dressed, has died.
Since her daughters death, Sylvia worked tirelessly through the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to champion people from alternative subcultures and tackle prejudice towards them.
She passed away yesterday morning unexpectedly at Blackburn Hospital after suffering from ill health over the past couple of years.
In a post on social media, the foundation said they were in "shock and disbelief":
"Sylvia had such a powerful life force; we cannot imagine a world without her in it.
"Following Sophie's brutal murder, Sylvia put her energy into championing people from alternative subcultures and creating educational programmes to tackle prejudice and intolerance.
"Sylvia was formidable. She challenged authority and fought for what she believed in.
"She will be sadly missed."
She worked with Greater Manchester Police which became the first force in the country to include sub culture as a hate crime which is now legislation across the country.
Julie Hesmondalgh, a patron of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, has worked closely with Sylvia for many years and portrayed her both on the stage and the TV screen.
Her husband Ian Kershaw, who is also a patron, worked on the Coronation Street scripts that were inspired by Sophie's story.
She sent us this tribute:
"The news of Sylvia's death has been an absolute shock.
"It's been my incredible honour and privilege to have worked alongside Sylvia for many years. now, even before playing her.
"Her legacy lives on. All of us at the foundation remain committed to the incredible work of keeping Sophie's legacy alive and continuing to stamp out prejudice hatred and intolderance everywhere.
"The work that she did in schools, in prisons, with police forces, as a Government advisor, has just changed the world in many ways and we need her message of inclusion and celebration of difference more than ever in these divided times.
"Rest in power Sylvia and thank you for all you've done."