The Drive Partnership

The Croydon community came together on Friday 27 September to honour the memory of Elianne Andam, a 15-year-old girl who was the tragic victim of knife crime as she made her way to school last year, on the one-year anniversary of her death.

A mural was unveiled during the event to commemorate Elianne’s life, featuring a portrait of Elianne alongside ceramic tiles engraved with adjectives her loved ones used to describe her. The mural was produced by Alec Saunders, a local artist, and is located outside the Whitgift Shopping Centre, on Wellesley Road.

The mural space also features a bench that was once used by Elianne and her friends, provided by Old Palace of John Whitgift School, Elianne’s school, complete with a stone plaque, carved by local stonemason Ivan Cudby, a wall plaque featuring Elianne’s photograph and a message from her family, and planters of wildflower seeding.

In support of the local community and to promote safety in the community, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has commissioned HERSANA CIC, a non-profit organisation that designs safe spaces for Black women and girls affected by or at risk of experiencing gender-based violence across England and Wales, to deliver Bystander Intervention Training. This training, a legacy to Elianne, will help businesses, community groups and members of the public understand the importance of how to become active bystanders. The free session will give participants the skills to recognise anti-social behaviour, sexual harassment and misogyny, and to intervene safely when witnessing such behaviours.

The mural and unveiling were facilitated by key partners including the family, the Metropolitan Police, Mayor Jason Perry & Croydon Council, Sarah Jones MP, John Whitgift Foundation, Old Palace of John Whitgift School, artist Alec Saunders, local stonemason Ivan Cudby, nonprofit organisation and host Croydon BME Forum, HERSANA CIC, Croydon Bid, New Life church, Anthony King, Head of Majestic Community Care

Services, Green UK & Bugs Life, donator of the wildflower seeds and ASAP and Principle Demolition for supporting with the installation.

Quote from one of Elianne’s family members:

“Elianne’s death has left a hole in all of our hearts, a hole that can never be fixed. Twelve months on we are still grieving and confused as to why this happened to our angel. This memorial has been made with so much love, which reflects the type of person Elianne was. The community needs to come together to put an end to knife crime once and for all.”