POP singer Kate Nash has released a single supporting the Sophie Lancaster Foundation after it helped her friend who was battered in a hate attack.

The star’s make-up artist Mika Johnson was assaulted by two men in a London takeaway after stepping in to protect his tattooed female friend they were threatening to stab.

ABOVE: Listen to Kate's song, Pink Limo Ride

The anti-hate crime campaign group was set up after Bacup teenager Sophie Lancaster was murdered in 2007 by a group who took offence at her dressing like a goth.

On hearing of Mr Johnson’s ordeal, the organisation contacted him and guided him through reporting the assault to the police and offered him moral support.

In a Facebook post, Nash said: “I'm concerned as to how my friend will get his confidence back after this.

“I can’t even imagine how he feels. All I can do is be there for him.

“The Sophie Lancaster Foundation has also been there for him. There are small things I can do to help my friend, one of those was write him this song.”

Nash, who had a no.2 hit with Foundations followed by the the release of her platinum-selling UK no.1 album Made Of Bricks, has released Pink Limo Ride dedicated to Mr Johnson, penned an open letter on her Tumblr webpage, and has urged fans affected by her song and her friend’s story to visit the Sophie Lancaster Foundation website.

She said: “Read Sophie's story and let's see how we can help."

Mr Johnson, a key artist at high end make-up artists Illamasqua, thanked the Foundation for its support and advice.

He said: “I now have a better understanding of what they do, not only in educating against intolerance but being a helping hand for victims of hatred. I did not expect a call from them but am very grateful.”

Kate Comboy-Greenwood, campaign manager at the foundation, said: “It’s great to have Kate so passionate about letting people know about us.

“She was just so angry about what had happened to her friend. And Mika allowed us to share his story to encourage more people to report hate crimes.

“We’ve had so many people saying how good it was that we helped him deal with the police and gave him some support, but that’s what we do.”

To support the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, visit www.sophielancasterfoundation.com.