A 15-year-old from Leytonstone School scooped fourth place at a youth speaking competition with her empowering speech about diversity and representation.

Maya Redley performed to an audience of 500 people for Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge on July 18 at Covent Garden’s Cambridge Theatre.

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Her speech, Rapunzel, Race and Representation, focused on how movies and TV programmes do not have enough characters of colour for black, Asian and ethnic minorities to relate to.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Left to right: Lewis Hooper, youth trustee of the Jack Petchey Foundation, Maya Redley and Russell Findlay, chief executive officer of Speakers Trust. Picture: Andrew PreeceLeft to right: Lewis Hooper, youth trustee of the Jack Petchey Foundation, Maya Redley and Russell Findlay, chief executive officer of Speakers Trust. Picture: Andrew Preece

Ms Redley said: “To be given this opportunity to share what I had to say and to have people actually listen to me is so special.

“It’s given me confidence.”

A total of 27,000 year 10 students from London and Essex entered the competition this year.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Left to right: Mayumi Staunton – 2021 winner, Grace McCarthy – third place, Maya Redley – fourth place, Izzy Hilton – second place, Michael Akinyemi – winner and Tim Campbell MBE. Picture: Andrew PreeceLeft to right: Mayumi Staunton – 2021 winner, Grace McCarthy – third place, Maya Redley – fourth place, Izzy Hilton – second place, Michael Akinyemi – winner and Tim Campbell MBE. Picture: Andrew Preece