Hundreds of primary and secondary school students from Addiscombe and South Norwood gathered today in Ashburton Park along with local residents,  representatives of the local police, and Mayoral candidate Valerie Shawcross to join in the launch of the fundraising campaign for the proposed youth centre in Ashburton Park.  

The event, headed by fitness legend Mr Motivator and BBC Radio 1xtra DJ Milktray revved up the young people’s energy and enthusiasm for the work ahead of them raising the funds to create a brand new service for young people in Croydon. The centre will be dedicated to the memory of one of their fellow students Zaian Aimable-Lina who was knifed to death in a random, shocking attack in Ashburton Park on 30th December last year.

Derrick Evans – Mr Motivator – spoke out to the youngsters enjoying the music and one of his famous workout routines. ‘Every single one of you is important, I want you all to look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourselves that.  Try also to spread just a bit of kindness every day.  It works’. 

Local residents stopped to watch the event.  Dog walker Sam, from Lower Addiscombe Road stopped to talk to the CRO. ‘Everybody is shocked about what happened to such a lovely young man.  Glad to see the young people getting involved in this project’.

The proposals which are headed by the Oasis Trust and other community groups, are centred on the acquisition of Ashburton Lodge a dilapidated ex-council property in Ashburton Park for a new youth service which will help young people stay in school to complete their studies and keep them out of the reach of gang culture.

Local Councillor and former civic Mayor Maddie Henson said ‘Zaian’s death is a tragedy that happened right here in our community in Addiscombe East.  Youth services have been decimated by central government cutbacks and its young people like Zaian who pay the price.  We need to start standing up for our young people here in Croydon and the Zaian Centre will be a great place to start’.

The Oasis Trust have created a fundraising page here if you would like to help.