Zaian Aimable-Lina died after being stabbed in Ashburton Park in Croydon, south London (Metropolitan Police/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)A youth centre in Croydon is to be named after 15-year-old stab victim Zaian Aimable-Lina.
Zaian died after suffering stab wounds at Ashburton Park in Croydon on December 30.
The founder of Oasis Academy Shirley Park, where Zaian went to school, has secured the use of Ashburton Lodge, a large residential building in the park where he was killed.
It will be refurbished as The Zaian Centre - an outreach hub for students and young people out of term time, with approval from his family.
The property was previously up for a reduced auction price but the local council cancelled the sale to allow time to collect funds for the proposed youth centre.
An appeal has so far reached £8,370 of the £20,000 goal.
The teenage victim was described in a tweet by his headteacher, Saqib Chaudri, as “a kind hearted, well mannered, popular boy” with his “whole life ahead of him”.
He said: “The grief of staff and students in the last two weeks has been tangible. But we are Shirley Park, and we will not be swallowed by this darkness.
“Together, we will raise funds and secure the future of not only Zaian’s memory but also of every young person in Addiscombe and Croydon as a whole.
“We will shine our light in this darkness and we will be stronger and more united for it.”
Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said the aim of the project was to create a “lasting legacy” to Zaian.
He added: “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 and working to keep young people in school and fulfil their potential.”
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder and possession of an article with a blade or point.
