Abraham Male elected as Newham's 2012 Olympic Young Mayor

3 November, 2011

A total of 10,082 young people from across Newham cast their vote and elected Abraham Male as the new Young Mayor of the host borough of the 2012 Games.

Abraham, 15, will be in office when the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive next year. He attends Beckton's Kingsford Community School, which is also a specialist language college.

The new Young Mayor received 1,055 votes. The turn out for this year's election count was 43.37%. Read Abraham's manifesto here.

Abraham won the election on his manifesto to promote the 2012 Olympic values of determination and excellence as well as ensuring that the message about the positive impact young people can make is spread across the borough.

He said: "I'm so overwhelmed at being elected Young Mayor. Young people are important for the future of Newham and it's so important with the Olympic Games next year their voices are heard."

The Deputy Young Mayor is Wendy Zadigue, 16, who volunteers for Canning Town charity, Community Links. She polled 838 votes. Read Wendy's manifesto here.

The other candidates will be given the opportunity to form the Youth Council, who will support and advise the Young Mayor and his deputy.

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales congratulated all those involved in the election. He said: "I'm so proud of the Young Mayor Scheme. Every Young Mayor that has been elected has been brilliant and we have seen a steady increase in young people taking part in the elections since we started. It's great to see so many young people passionate about making a difference to their area."

"I look forward to working with the Abraham, Wendy and the Youth Councillors and I'm confident that they will continue to build on the achievements of their predecessors."

Since the establishment of the Young Mayor scheme in 2007, participation has increased from 13 schools, colleges and youth groups to 24.

Sir Robin also thanked previous Young Mayor Ali Mohamed and Deputy Young Mayor Jasmin Joseph for their endeavours: "Ali and Jasmin are real examples of what our young people can achieve and really represent the voice of our youngsters."

Previous Newham Young Mayors have not only delivered Newham's joint Olympic Stadium Bid to Downing Street but have also campaigned for young people to be involved in volunteering opportunities during Games time and delivered the Olympic Truce to the United Nations delegation.