Sophie charity opens new base in Haslingden (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Sophie charity opens new base in Haslingden

6:00pm Sunday 25th July 2010 in

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CAMPAIGNERS battling prejudice in East Lancashire and beyond have celebrated a landmark with the opening of their first base in Haslingden.

Supporters of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation have seen the organisation – dedicated to the memory of the former Haslingden High student who was kicked to death by yobs in August 2007 – expand out of all recognition.

This year alone a short film highlighting Sophie’s tragic death, in Bacup’s Stubby Lee Park, has won international film awards and her mother Sylvia has addressed countless hate crime conferences.

But until this week the foundation, which has inspired dozens of alternative concerts, has virtually existed in limbo.

Now Sylvia and foundation workers can call the Agapao Impact Centre, in Bury Road, their new home.

Before the launch, Sylvia said: “It will be a pleasure to meet old and new friends, at the office, and update them on the progress of the charity.”

Sylvia is still pressing for UK hate crime laws to be expanded to acknowledge ‘alternative’ and ‘lifestyle and dress’ as sub-categories.

She has been busy promoting the foundation, with the likes of The Levellers and The Damned giving stage time to allow Sylvia to spread the word about SOPHIE – Stamping Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.