Anne Frank's story continues to inspire

Gillian Walnes MBE, cofounder and chief executive of the Anne Frank Trust UK, gave an insight to the real Anne Frank when she was guest speaker at the Leeds Women's Annual Appeal Lunch (26 May 2010). Speaking to 100 guests at the Manny Cussins Banqueting Suite in Leeds, Gillian talked about Anne's relationship with her parents Otto and Edith, her sister Margot and some of her inner thoughts that have never been published.

Guests raised over £15,000 to support UJIA's work for young people and education in Leeds, as well as across the UK and the Galil, northern Israel. Opening speaker, Ruth Bambage, paid tribute to UJIA's work as did the Chair of Leeds Women's UJIA Committee, Norma Collins.

Norma said, "We the committee thank you, our supporters and stakeholders, for your continued support of the programmes and projects that UJIA has committed to on all our behalf. Without your support we could not accomplish the fantastic programmes that UJIA is committed to."

UJIA Regional Director, Howard Foreman, gave the appeal and related his comments to the importance of the past, present and the future - a fitting memory of Anne Frank and others who had suffered in the Holocaust. Guests saw a special 2010 Leeds Campaign DVD showing not only programmes in Israel and the UK, but also many programmes taking place in Leeds. This included the Israel Tour for 16 year-olds which takes 80% of eligible teenagers from Leeds on educational tours to Israel.