Holocaust survivor Mindu Hornick spoke to over 300 people at the University of Warwick last night about her traumatic story of survival and the why the lessons from one of the darkest chapters of history must never be forgotten.

The 93-year-old, who was born in then Czechoslovakia, explained how she was torn from her family home in 1941 and was eventually sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Having being told to lie about her age on arrival to make herself seem older, she was forcibly marched West in 1945, enduring bombing and forced labour. She was eventually liberated, having spent eight gruelling months in Auschwitz.

The visit to the Warwick campus was organised by the University of Warwick’s Jewish Society to help inform and educate staff and students about the horrors of the Holocaust and the danger of antisemitism.

Mrs Hornick commented: “I’m committed to doing everything I can to encourage the spread of tolerance, understanding and compassion to those people who are discriminated against… the testimony of survivors can strengthen our resolve to ensure that the stability and security of human life becomes a main priority for today, and in the future”.

Jacob Lederman, Warwick’s Jewish Society’s treasurer, said: “We know antisemitic incidents have been rising in the UK at an alarming rate, and Jewish people can still often feel marginalised and targeted. That’s true of other groups too.

“Last night’s talk was a moving and timely reminder of the enduring importance of tolerance, understanding and compassion.

“Mindu’s talk underlined the need to come together and unite against discrimination, and despite her horrific experience her message is one of hope and optimism for the future.”

In 2019, Mrs Hornick was awarded an MBE for services for Holocaust education, having given talks to hundreds of schools, colleges and universities over the years to help educate the next generation about the reality of the Holocaust.