A HOLOCAUST survivor will visit Kingswood later this month to tell his story of his family’s ordeal during the Second World War.

John Dobai will speak at St Mary’s Church in the village in a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).

Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1934, Mr Dobai and his family suffered at the hands of the Nazis before moving to England in 1948 for a fresh start.

On Monday, January 30 at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Kingswood, members of the community and sixth form students from KLB will hear his testimony.

Villager Rosemary Casken said: “It is a privilege for us to welcome John Dobai to our church and community and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced.

“We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that by hearing John’s testimony, it will encourage all who hear it to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Refreshments will be available at the church from 7pm and a question and answer session will take place following the talk.

The visit is part of HET’s extensive year-round outreach programme.

Karen Pollock MBE, chief executive of the trust, said: “The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK, from all communities about the Holocaust and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor.

“John’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.

“At the trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”