BBC NEWS | England | Lancashire | Concert staged for attack victim
25 November 2007, 12:48 GMT 
A memorial concert has been held to celebrate what would have been the 21st birthday of a woman who died following an attack in a skate park.
Sophie Lancaster died two weeks after the attack in Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Lancashire on 11 August.
The event, for 200 of Sophie's friends and family, was staged at St Mary's Chambers in Rawtenstall.
Some of her favourite local bands played and 21 black balloons were released from the venue.
A one minute "noise" was also held at midnight with all the bands on stage as a show of "solidarity and respect" for Sophie.
Friends' memorial for Sophie's 21st birthday
THE friends and family of a woman who died after being attacked in a park came together to celebrate what would have been her 21st birthday.
More than 200 people attended the memorial event for Sophie Lancaster at St Mary's Chamber in Rawtenstall on Sunday night.
Six bands and DJ Grimly Fiendish from the Misery of Sound, played at the event, which saw 21 black and silver balloons released into the sky in her memory.
A one minute "noise" was also held at midnight with all the bands on stage as a show of solidarity and respect for Sophie.
Sophie's boyfriend, Robert Maltby, who was also left seriously injured in the attack, attended the event and released one of the balloons.
Kate Convoy-Greenwood, a close friend of the Lancaster family, said: "It was an amazing night. The noise at midnight was amazing - it was measured at 127 decibels which is pretty noisy considering a jet engine is 130!
"Tickets were sold on the night towards the SOPHIE - Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere fund - which has now reached £2,500.
"Next we are going to sell black memorial wristbands towards the fund.
"Sophie's My Space site has doubled since it started out and messages of support have been lovely. People have left pictures on the site and messages have come from as far as America.
"We are very grateful to St Mary's Chambers as the venue would have cost £300 but they waived the fee especially...
Bands at the concert were:
Eustacia Vie, Ded Mole Crickit, In fight, 3 Squid, Coporial and Andy and Luke. All of them knew either Sophie or her family and it must have been very difficult to play such an emotional occasion, when they should have been at her 21st birthday party.
I am proud to know should wonderful, intelligent, caring young people.
We hope to have CDs of the night ready to sell to raise extra funds for the campaign."
Concert in memory of Sophie
This Is Lancashire, UK -
A LIVE bands night is taking place in memory of Sophie Lancaster on Friday, November 30.
Sophie died after she was attacked in Stubbylee Park, in Bacup, in August.
Her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, 21, also suffered serious head and facial injuries.
The concert, organised by Coun Alan Neal and others, will feature Whiskey Chorus, Ice, Midblue and members of Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School band.
Tickets are £5 from Bacup Leisure Hall, or from Coun Neal on 07817 414721.
All proceeds will go to SOPHIE - Stamp Out Prejudice and Intolerance Everywhere memorial fund. The fund was set up by family and friends of the former Haslingden High pupil.
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