Fans Asked To 'Goth-Up' For Anniversary Of Sophie Lancaster's Death

(TeamRock) Music fans are being urged to 'goth up' in memory of Sophie Lancaster on the ninth anniversary of her death. The 20-year-old sustained fatal injuries while trying to protect boyfriend Robert Maltby, who survived the assault, from an attack by Ryan Herbert and Brendan Harris on August 24, 2007. The pair had been targeted because they were wearing goth-style clothing.

That prompted her mother Sylvia Lancaster OBE to set up The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which aims to tackle hate crimes by educating people about subcultures and spreading a message of tolerance.

And as today marks nine years since Sophie's murder, people are being encouraged to take selfies in goth clothes and make-up in remembrance of Sophie and post their picture on social media with the hashtag #gothupforsophie.

Sylvia Lancaster tells the Lancashire Telegraph: "This is a hard time of year and I feel quite flat as we approach the anniversary of Sophie's murder. But this campaign is wonderful and I am thankful to the organisers who continue to show support. The selfie enables young people to be themselves and it and really shows social media being used at its best."

"It's really uplifting to see people taking part in the #gothupforsophie challenge - and it's also a really fun way for people to express themselves exactly as they want." Read more here.

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