Football and music tribute to Sophie

4:50pm Tuesday 2nd October 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

FRIENDS of a woman who died after being attacked in a park will hold a music and football marathon in her memory.

The 12-hour event will raise cash for a memorial to former Haslingden High school pupil Sophie Lancaster, who died from her injuries on August 24 after being attacked two weeks earlier.

Sophie, 20, was with boy-friend Robert Maltby, 21, when they were set upon in Stubbylee Park, Bacup.

Kelly Roddy, lead singer of band Cosmic Slop, has organised the event at West View, the home of Bacup FC, and written a song about Sophie's death called Walk in the Park.

Music will be played for 12 hours, from 1pm on Saturday, with a break only for Bacup's match against Abbey Hey.

Club manager Brent Peters said he hit upon the idea of merging the two events when he was approached by Kelly about the festival.

He said: "At first we thought we would have to say no because we had a league match that day, but then I had a think about it, approached the league, and worked out that we could do both.

"It will be unique because there will be no charge to watch the match - the fees will be covered by our funds - and everyone can join in. It will be a day of celebrating the life of a young girl who tragically lost her life."

Other events on the day will raise cash for a fund set up by her parents.

It will be used to pay for a memorial to Sophie's life, as well as sessions with young people to teach them respect for alternative cult-ures.

It is thought Sophie and Robert, who was also injured but is now recovering, were attacked because of their "goth" image.

Five youths appeared in court charged with Sophie's murder.

Two boys aged 15 and 16 from Shawforth and a 17-year-old male from Bacup were remanded on bail by Burnley magistrates.

Two other youths, both 15 from Bacup, were remanded in custody