May 8th 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of my grandpa Ike Alterman’s liberation from Theresienstadt.
Two years ago, I retraced his steps walking from Theresienstadt and finishing in the centre of Prague, from where he and other child and teenage Survivors were flown to the UK.
This June I will continue following his journey from when he arrived in the UK by walking 50kms from Carlisle Airport to the Calgarth Estate in Windemere where he spent 3 months recovering from his terrible ordeal during the Holocaust, before departing to Manchester, and raising vital money for The Fed’s My Voice project.
During his time at the Calgarth Estate grandpa was rehabilitated and learned how to live again. When he has recalled his memories from his time at Calgarth he has described it as a time when he “leant to live again” and “began to remember what freedom was”. His time in Windemere was where he became known as one of ‘The Boys’ – the close-knit group of young Survivors who began to rebuild their lives in this idyllic setting, far removed from the horrors of the Nazi death camps.
The My Voice project records the whole life stories – in the first person – of Holocaust Survivors who settled in the UK after the Second World War. The books provide vital first hand eye witness testimony of the Holocaust and share messages of tolerance, kindness, hope and resilience.
Without the work from the My Voice project I don’t believe my grandpa’s voice and testimony would have been heard in the way it has. He has been able to share his story within both the Jewish and wider community from schools to football clubs. A school has even renamed a building in his honour to reflect the impact his story has had on their Holocaust education.
Personally, I cannot put into words how grateful I am to the My Voice project in helping my grandpa share his story so I will let my feet do the talking.
The money raised will ensure the My Voice project continues in years to come. All donations no matter the size will be hugely appreciated.
Danni 🖤🧡🖤