Choir records version of Stand By Me for Elianne Andam tribute fundraiser
A choir has recorded a special version of Stand By Me in memory of Elianne Andam and to fundraise for an anti-knife crime charity.
Croydon Voices, made up of Croydon residents, has recorded the cover of Ben E. King’s 1961 hit song to raise money for Lives Not Knives (LNK), based in the Centrale shopping centre in West Croydon.
Ms Andam, 15, was stabbed to death as she made her way to school last Wednesday. A 17-year-old boy has since been charged with her murder and awaits a plea hearing in December.
In a statement posted on X – formerly known as Twitter – LNK wrote: “We are completely devastated that a young girl has been killed so close to home.
“We have respectfully declined to comment due to us all understanding the true impact of knife crime.”
LNK is a youth-led charity that works to prevent knife crime, serious youth violence and school exclusions by “educating” and “empowering” disadvantaged young people.
Jack Price, 25, based in Croydon, is the programme manager for LNK.
Mr Price said: “When educating young people, one of the main things we focus on is education of self – helping young people identify, learn and further develop their skills and qualities whilst also working on their weaknesses.
“We look to educate young people about the society they live in, the problems they may face, decisions they can make to better themselves, and help them reach their highest potentials.”
The programmes offer youth clubs in term time, holiday programmes during the school breaks, employment advice and opportunities as well as personal mentoring.
Mr Price said LNK sessions are “tailored” to “each young person’s specific needs”.
He said: “For example, if a young person was to struggle with anger, our mentoring sessions would help them regulate their emotions and make the right decisions in certain situations.
“Young people come from different backgrounds with different needs.
“I think at school some of them aren’t given the opportunity to digest information taught with traditional educational methods, and would benefit from further support to help them process this information.
“What is missing from the curriculum is a real focus on knife crime, not just seeing it as something that can be briefly covered.”
Mr Price said that LNK works with a lot of young women, mentoring them and providing opportunities as well as signposting them to other services for support.
He said: “Working with young people makes me feel like there can be a change.
“It makes me feel amazed that there are so many brilliant young people in Croydon and hopeful to see so many young people with talent and skills. It makes me feel very blessed.”
To donate to Lives Not Knives visit, https://livesnotknives.enthuse.com/cf/stand-by-me
To watch Croydon Voice’s tribute visit, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfstuQJYJ4k&t=14s
Pictured top: Croydon Voices perform ‘Stand By Me’ in tribute to Elianne Andam (Picture: Bethany Norman)