What better way to mark what would have been your murdered daughter’s 28th birthday - than tackling the root cause of her death?

Inspirational Sylvia Lancaster has done just that.

On the day that 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster would have been celebrating her birthday, Sylvia addressed an international audience in what was the first hate crime conference of its kind.

Standing alongside senior police officers, politicians and delegates, Sylvia shared her daughter’s story about how she came to be attacked and killed in Stubbylee Park, Bacup in 2007 because of her alternative dress sense.

In the last seven years, Sylvia has been through more than most could ever imagine.

She has used the most heartbreaking and difficult experience for good.

She has visited schools and festivals up and down the country trying to breakdown barriers between subcultures.

Embracing all the things that make us different, Sylvia has even managed to get celebrities and key brands to support for her charity.

And Sylvia’s latest initiative needs applauding as she is trying to roll out a scheme to make sure tolerance is taught to primary school age children from the outset.