TEENAGERS from across Harrow's school gave their all in a challenge to find out the borough's champion speaker.

Park High School was the venue for the Speak Out Challenge regional final on Tuesday, December 15, which saw 15 Year 10 students making speeches on the topic of their choice.

They were assessed by a panel of judges, including Harrow MP Tony McNulty, World Champion Boxer Billy Schwer, and Harrow Times chief reporter Tristan Kirk – and 15-year-old Whitmore High pupil Thomas Folley was crowned the winner.

The finalists who spoke on the night had already beaten fellow students at their schools to win a place in the final, and delivered their three minute speeches to a crowd of around 200 staff, pupils, and parents.

Winner Thomas entertained the crowd with self-deprecating humour to convey his message that people should love life rather than focusing on the negatives.

In second place was Nower Hill pupil Rakhi Sachdev, who spoke movingly about eating disorders during her attack on people being labeled as fat.

And Rheana Petgrave from Hatch End High School impressed the judges to scoop third places with her take on fears and phobias.

Thomas will now go on to a the national finals to represent the borough, and could be ultimately be crowned the UK Speak Out challenge winner.

The competition is organised and funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, and is aimed at helping young people to gain confidence and the learn vital skills to be able to speak in front of people.