Croydon youth centre planned in memory of slain teen Zaian

A new youth centre is planned to remember a 15-year-old who was stabbed to death on December 30.

Zaian Aimable-Lina, a student of Oasis Academy Shirley Park, died after being found with stab wounds in Ashburton Park.

Oasis founder the Rev Steve Chalke, and Croydon town hall chiefs are in talks about creating a fitting legacy in memory of the youngster.

Croydon council leaders have agreed to remove Ashburton Lodge, a building it owns in Ashburton Park, from an auction to be held next month.

This will allow Oasis to explore a vision to develop the building and the annex next to it into a youth centre to be named The Zaian Centre. Rev Chalke, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, said: “Zaian was a much-loved and hugely popular student at Oasis Academy Shirley Park. “Our goal – working with Zaian’s family and friends, the whole student and staff body of Oasis Academy Shirley Park and the wider local community – is to create a lasting legacy to a wonderful young man.

“Please help us honour Zaian’s memory by creating a local youth centre bearing his name. “Your donation will help create a youth centre offering services that will help future generations of young people flourish.

“Our goal is to provide the space to deliver a wide range of activities and opportunities to local young people to deliver integrated youth work, supporting children at risk of exclusion and exploitation, working to keep young people in school and fulfil their potential, as well as providing practical help for parents and local schools.

“We aim to do this in strong working partnerships with other schools in the area, local voluntary agencies, grassroots groups and community members as well as community police, social and health work teams.”

Stuart King, deputy leader of Croydon council, said; “We are exploring the use of Ashburton Lodge in this way because we believe that by working with Oasis – as well as creating a huge opportunity for young people in the local community – we can also create a symbol to all that.

“Even in his death, Zaian – this remarkable young man – is making a difference.

By working together, we have an opportunity to build on our commitment to protect our most vulnerable children and teenagers by keeping them from harm, while also creating more opportunities for all young people to thrive and flourish.”

Reverend Steve Chalke, a Croydon resident, founded the Oasis Charitable Trust in 1985.

It has now grown into a voluntary sector provider, of support for residents funding by councils and the government, plus self-funded projects.

It also runs three secondary schools, two primary schools and a children’s centre in Croydon.

To help visit https://www.oasisuk.org/appeal/a-legacy-for-zaian/