It was a privilege to be at the opening of a memorial garden at Hamsey Green Pond in Sanderstead for those who have suffered the loss of a baby.
I joined Lauren and Connor, the parents of Evie LeMasurier who tragically passed away a day after she was born. Evie’s family have created this garden to remember her and other lost babies – it features benches, a butterfly statue and a wall for their names to be engraved. This garden serves as a hopeful reminder to grieving parents that they are not alone, and their children will always be remembered.
Evie’s parents have so far raised over £10,000 towards establishing The Evelyn Rae Foundation to raise awareness about neonatal deaths, stillbirths and miscarriages in memory of their baby girl.
We were saddened by the death of 22-year-old Rijkaard Salu Siafa near Surrey Street on 12 April and are supporting the police with their investigation. Following the incident, our community safety team have been working with Croydon BID to provide information and reassurance from the police and council to local businesses. We continue to work with our partners to make our town centres safe and if you have any information please call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD6022/12Apr. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
I was proud to see that ‘Any of Us’ – a short film encouraging people to consider becoming a foster carer for Croydon Council picked up two prestigious awards this month. The film won the ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘Best Creative Comms’ categories in the comms2point0 UnAwards. This film is about giving our borough’s children and young people a chance to thrive and become the best person they can be. Watch the film and visit our council website for more information on fostering.
We are in the process of revising Croydon’s local plan, which sets out the council’s planning policies including how the housing needs of the borough will be met, while protecting the character of our towns and neighbourhoods. The draft local plan was approved at Full Council on Wednesday. The next step is for residents, businesses and community groups to give their views this summer. After these have been considered, it will be submitted to the Secretary of State. Watch out for the consultation this summer. Find out more.
I want to congratulate everyone involved in raising over £5,000 through the Love Not Hate Young Stars of Croydon fundraising event, organised by the MSH Foundation, in March at Whitgift School. The money raised was presented to the Civic Mayor of Croydon’s charity benefiting local groups; the Duffus Community Foundation and the Brenda Kirby Trust. Events like this make a huge difference to young people’s lives and to the people who are helped by these charities.
Have a good weekend.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
