THIS Sunday, an inspirational Grandmother and MBE, who survived the horrors of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, will be visiting Redditch.

Concentration camp survivor and nonagenarian, Mindu Hornick MBE, will be sharing her story of spirit and determination in the face of adversity to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

At the age of just 12, Mindu was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau with her mother, sister and two younger brothers.

On their arrival, on the advice of another prisoner, Mindu and her sister were told to lie about their age and said that they were 17 and 19-years-old and skilled seamstresses.

They were sent ahead, initially to sort prisoners’ confiscated clothing before eventually being sent to an underground ammunitions factory.

They never saw their mother or brothers again.

After being liberated by the American army in May 1945 Mindu initially returned to Prague, but was forced to flee to live with an uncle in Birmingham during the Soviet occupation.

Ms Hornick, who was born in Czechoslovakia, has spent many years talking about her experiences and urging listeners to love one another, speaking out against Islamophobia, intolerance and anti-Semitism in the world.

Mindu was recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours for her services to Holocaust education and commemoration.

Hear Mindu’s extraordinary personal experience of unbearable circumstances, hopelessness and danger when she visits Redditch to speak on Sunday, January 26.

Interested visitors can catch her talk with a Q&A from 11am at the town hall, followed by refreshments.

Prior to Mindu’s talk, there will also be a procession to the Holocaust Marker for the lighting of the candle at 9.30am before returning to the town hall for performances by Redditch Community Gospel Choir, Redditch Kerala Cultural Association, Redditch Polish Youth School Choir and readings from a number of invited guests at 10am.

Visitors are welcome to attend the whole event from 9am or they can arrive at 10am for performances or 11am for Ms Hornick’s talk.

Holocaust Memorial Day itself is on Monday, January 27.

For more information about the international campaign visit hmd.org.uk.