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Our Patrons

Photo: Paul Wolfgang Webster

Simon Armitage OBE

“Sophie was a young woman whose life was cruelly taken away. My first contact with the Foundation was through writing poems for Black Roses. I saw my role here as giving Sophie back her dignity, her courage and her right to reply, though to write pieces in her voice was probably the biggest challenge and responsibility of my career. I thank Sylvia for inviting me on board and giving me the licence to imagine her daughter’s thoughts and words. It is a privilege as a patron to play a small part in the great work that the Foundation continues to do.”

Photo Credit: Tom Barker

Rachel Austin

“When Sophie and Rob’s story hit the news, it really shook me. Little did I know that some years later I would be part of sharing their story with thousands of people across the country. I am part of this journey because I believe everyone deserves to be treated equally and difference should be celebrated not stamped on. I never met Sophie but she has changed my life. Let’s make this known.”

Robin Ince

“Why do I support SOPHIE?

Humans are complicated, humans can be tribal, there are so many ways of being deemed not to fit in, the work of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation helps show people that whatever you look like, however different you seem from the outside, the hopes, wants and needs of humans are more often than not, the same. As Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “Godammit, you’ve got to be kind”. We need more tolerance and understanding, and that is what SLF is all about.”

Photo Credit: Deverill Weekes

Juliet Landau

Actress: Ed Wood, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bosch
 
Director: Take Flight, A Place Among The Dead, The Undead Series
 

“I am horrified by what happened to Sophie Lancaster and Rob Maltby. It seems unfathomable to me that people can be this evil, hateful, ugly and violent. I’m moved beyond words by Sophie’s spirit, loving nature and the way she protected Rob during the attack. Sophie’s mum, Sylvia is an inspiration. She founded this organisation as a legacy to her daughter, with the aim of providing education about prejudice and intolerance by going into schools, youth groups and prisons. People’s creativity and individuality is a thing to celebrate and nurture not to destroy.”

Photo Credit: Liam Bundy

Vicky McClure

“From such a tragedy in losing Sophie, Sylvia & the SOPHIE Charity has made huge advances in hate crime and continue in the fight to stop hatred everywhere. Inspirational, determined, and alternative.”

Susan Roberts

“I became involved with the Sophie Lancaster foundation after making the radio drama Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster for BBC Radio 4, which went on to become a stage play and then a film which is now used to support the work of the foundation. Sadly, there’s a need to tell this story over and over again as we live in a society where intolerance of difference and prejudice against minorities is widespread. The foundation works tirelessly to challenge and change this, in schools, in our communities and beyond through education and communication. I’m proud to be a patron and to continue to support the amazing and important work of Sylvia and the team.”

Photo Credit: Juliet Landau

Deverill Weekes

Director: A Place Among The Dead, The Undead Series, Take Flight, Dream Out Loud

Photographer

“I think there are individuals who are such a gift to our humdrum world. They bring a little magic in their choices, wardrobe and alternative lifestyle. I have always had such admiration for them. They make our world more interesting, vibrant and exciting.

I am so honoured to be a patron of this incredible organisation. I see Sylvia and her team as warriors in the war on ignorance and hate, changing laws, changing minds and truly making our world a better, kinder place… Heroes of the highest order.”