A music festival is to be held in memory of murdered Sophie Lancaster.
Twenty-year-old Sophie, from Rossendale, was beaten to death in 2007 when thugs turned on her and her boyfriend because they were dressed as goths. Ryan Herbert and Brendan Harris were later convicted for her murder.
A charitable foundation set up in Sophie’s name to promote tolerance has attracted support worldwide. Now three friends hope to help with the Sophie Festival in Ashton under Lyne.
Scot Reedy, Sven Sandal and Luke Michniewski were inspired after meeting Sophie’s mum Sylvia at Derbyshire heavy metal festival Bloodstock.
The trio run Metalheart promotions which organises gigs for up-and-coming bands.
Scot, from Hyde, said: “I had met Sophie in the past through different groups of friends and what happened to her was disgusting. We are from alternative lifestyles, we have all been picked on in the past for looking different.
“The foundation is a really good cause. It’s something we feel very passionate about and people should know more about it. We also want to raise as much money as possible.”
The Sophie Festival will take place on November 19 at venues across Ashton including the town hall and the Guzzling Goose pub.
More than 30 bands have already signed up including Candid Iniquity, Yakavetta, My Wooden Pillow and Luke’s band Awaker.
Scot, 24, said: “The bands have been brilliant, they are travelling from all over the country.
“There’s a lot of people in the area who like rock and metal and it’s already looking like it’s going to be one of the biggest festivals in the north west.”
Tickets for the 12-hour festival will cost around £15 and will be on sale soon.
To get involved go to www.facebook.com/sophiefest or email metal-heart@live.co.uk .
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Hope this makes as much money as possible. A true tragedy and heatbreaking story. RIP
I have done a few events for the Sophie foundation in London. the work done by the foundation is breaking ground and need to keep moving on with as much funding they can get as the more they get the more good work can be done helping Alt kids but also getting other kids to unstand that everybody has a right to be dress and feel safe. and that even when you think someone not like you but deep down everybody the same.
Whenever I think of what happened to Sophie and her boyfriend I am always sickened by the mindless brutality. As a goth in the 80s and 90s me and my friends were often subject to ridicule by more mainstream youngsters. We never once feared for our lives though. I'd like to go to this festival - I might even take my 3 year old son so he can see how different people can be.
Sad to hear that This has now been postponed!
From The Sophie Festival Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/sophiefest)
"It is with sadness and regret that today we are unfortunately having to postpone the Sophie Festival until another date next year. This is down to Tameside Council and not ourselves.
The money they are asking for is unfortunately far too much and we just can not afford to pay it. If we did pay their asking price, not only would we make no money at all for the foundation, but we would also land o...urselves in debt.
All bands on the line-up will STILL be on the line-up next year, and who knows, maybe we can find a venue for free/cheap that will allow us a two day event.
If you have already bought tickets, please forward proof to metal-heart@live.co.uk for a refund, or you can hold on to them and they will be 100% valid for next year.
This announcement does NOT affect anybody performing on the Guzzlin' Goose stage, that will go ahead as a Charity all day event and will cost just £5.00 on the door, again, if you already have a ticket, you do not need to pay again, but if you choose to go then we will not be able to refund your ticket costs.
Again, we are sorry for this, but it really is out of our hands."
Well done Tameside council for blocking a fantastic fundraising event to go ahead! shame on you!
So sad to hear that this has had to be postponed!! From the Sophoe Festival facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/sophiefest
"It is with sadness and regret that today we are unfortunately having to postpone the Sophie Festival until another date next year. This is down to Tameside Council and not ourselves.
The money they are asking for is unfortunately far too much and we just can not afford to pay it. If we did pay their asking price, not only would we make no money at all for the foundation, but we would also land o...urselves in debt.
All bands on the line-up will STILL be on the line-up next year, and who knows, maybe we can find a venue for free/cheap that will allow us a two day event.
If you have already bought tickets, please forward proof to metal-heart@live.co.uk for a refund, or you can hold on to them and they will be 100% valid for next year.
This announcement does NOT affect anybody performing on the Guzzlin' Goose stage, that will go ahead as a Charity all day event and will cost just £5.00 on the door, again, if you already have a ticket, you do not need to pay again, but if you choose to go then we will not be able to refund your ticket costs.
Again, we are sorry for this, but it really is out of our hands."
Well done Tameside Council for blocking a fantastic fundraising event! shame on you!