STUDENTS at Rainhill High School were so shocked when learning about the 2007 murder of North West woman Sophie Lancaster that they set about tackling issues around hate crime.

A group of pupils met with police officers and the council’s Youth Advisory Board to set up a petition and organised a workshop at their school around the theme of diversity. They also raised funds for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

They helped organise a day focussing on raising awareness about hate crimes against alternative sub-cultures and the Sophie Lancaster Day will now become an annual event each October.

Sophie was attacked and killed by a gang as she walked through a park with her boyfriend in 2007 for dressing in gothic style clothes.

So far the pupils at Rainhill have raised £500 through the Giving Nation Social Action Awards for the foundation. The award also recognises schools and educational facilities which have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to charity.

They also raised money by buying cakes and No Place for Hate wristbands and they also wrote their own messages on a specially built graffiti wall.

To pledge your support for the campaign against hate crime visit safersthelens.org.uk

To report hate crime contact your local police team on 101 or Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001.