Teen voices for Sunderland

Two teenagers are celebrating after being elected to be representatives for Sunderland youngsters on a national stage.

Dane Bainbridge and Joshua McKeith, both 17, were recently announced as the winning candidates in the UK Youth Parliament elections.

Mayor of Sunderland, Coun Doris MacKnight, announced the results at a ceremony held in Sunderland City Council chambers.

As the city’s elected Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs), Dane and Joshua will now go on to represent the young people of Sunderland on a national stage for the next two years.

The role includes identifying and voicing the issues that are most important to Sunderland’s young people, liaising with other MYPs across the country to coordinate campaigns and attending annual House of Commons debates.

Dane, a St Robert of Newminster pupil, said: “It is extremely humbling to be elected as a representative of young people in the city.”

Meanwhile, Joshua, a student at Monkwearmouth Academy, added: “I am excited about becoming an MYP, to put in action the voices of children and young people in Sunderland.”

Thirteen candidates, aged from 12 to 18, from across Sunderland put themselves forward for the two available seats this year and more than 5,748 young people cast their vote in the elections. The election process was organised by Together for Children, which will now work with the newlyelected MYPs to support them as they undertake their new role.

Coun MacKnight, said: “I’d like to extend my sincere congratulations to Dane and Joshua.”