JEWISH, Muslim and Christian communities came together at The Hive in an act of commemoration to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

About 100 people attended the event, which was organised by the Worcestershire Interfaith Forum in partnership with the University of Worcester.

Dignitaries including the Bishop of Worcester, the university vice chancellor, the Lord Lieutenant and the chairwoman of Worcestershire County Council were present alongside a survivor of the Kindertransport rescue mission during the Second World War.

Doug Chaplin, mission development officer at the Diocese of Worcester, said: “It was a very moving occasion and all those present reminded each other of the vital importance of taking a stand against prejudice.”

The event included readings of the testimonies of survivors of the genocide and an act of commitment for a better future led by students from Bishop Perowne CE College, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, the King’s School, Nunnery Wood High School, Tudor Grange Academy, Christopher Whitehead Language College and RGS.

Tuesday (January 27) was the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and 2015 is also the 20th anniversary of the massacre of mainly Muslim Bosnians at Srebenica.

These two anniversaries of horrendous genocides formed the key points of the commemoration and this year’s anti-genocide theme for Holocaust Memorial Day was 'keep the memory alive'.

Worcester’s MP Robin Walker also marked the anniversary by signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s book of commitment.

In doing so he pledged his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honoured those who were murdered during the Holocaust and paid tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people.

Mr Walker said: “Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau – and is an important opportunity to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and make sure they are not forgotten.

“I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to join members of our community in the fight against prejudice and intolerance.

“I remember visiting concentration camps in Austria and the Czech Republic as a school pupil and the powerful impression it made on me will never leave me.

“As the last generation that remember the Holocaust are now leaving us it is more important than ever that we preserve the memory of what they went through and the crimes that were committed against them.

“That is why I am pleased that the Prime Minister has announced funding for a new national Holocaust centre. We must never allow such crimes to happen again.”

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “We are proud that Robin Walker is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day.

“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and the liberation of the concentration camps in 2015, it is vitally important that we both continue to remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry.”

George Badger, a former pupil of Hanley Castle High School who is now studying at university, is a regional ambassador for the trust and is responsible for encouraging others to get involved in the group’s work.

He said: “With the number of survivors unfortunately declining today, it has become very important for us as the next generation to share their stories to continue the legacy of the Holocaust and re-humanise those who were so brutally de-humanised.”