THE hospital intensive care unit which cared for murdered student Sophie Lancaster after she was atttacked is to receive a large cash injection in her memory.

A memorial fund, set up in the 20-year-old’s name to battle prejudice, has collected £25,000 through rock concerts, wristband sales and community events.

Now it has been announced by the Sophie Lancaster Foundation that a donation will be made to the neurological intensive care unit at Salford’s Hope Hospital, where the gap-year student was treated in her final days.

Sophie’s mum Sylvia says the cash total is “an incredible achievement by so many people” and has confirmed the remainder will be used to fund edu-cation projects aimed at tackling intolerance.

Former Haslingden High pupil Sophie and her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, were attacked by a gang of teenagers in Bacup’s Stubby-lee Park last year, because of their alternative style of dress.

Sophie never recovered from the horrific injuries she endured at the hands of the teen thugs while Robert is still to fully recover.

Sylvia added: “As we faced the first anniversary of Sophie’s death on Saturday we felt a deep overwhelming sadness that such a vibrant caring young woman was no longer with us. Sophie would undoubtedly have made a difference to society.

“We, her family, along with friends have in the past year been involved in creating a lasting legacy to her.

“We have done this by establishing the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, through which we will stamp out prejudice hatred and intolerance everywhere.

“The response and support from both people in the UK and internationally has been amazing and helped us to get through what has been a traumatic and at times disturbing year.”

Family and friends have also faced the added heart-ache of learning that those involved in the attack on Sophie and Robert – Brendan Harris, 15, Ryan Herbert, 16, Daniel Mallett, 17, and brothers Joseph, 17, and Danny Hulme, 16 — had been given leave to appeal their sentences.

Sylvia added: “The family has been informed recently that the murderers of our beautiful daughter have been given leave to appeal against their sentences.

“The timing of this announcement has added to the devastation already felt.

“As a family we feel that is indicative of a judicial system that often is skewed towards the perpetrators’ and their rights rather than the victims.”

She has also paid tribute to the support offered by Lancashire Police over the last 12 months, particularly the force’s family liaision officers, her bosses and the alternative community, which has staged a wealth of fundraisers for the foundation.

Sylvia said: “Sophie’s partner, Rob, has a very special place in our lives and we hope and pray for his full recovery, given time.”