Special Service Marks Holocaust Memorial Day
South Tyneside paid tribute to genocide victims today (Monday 27 January) with community representatives and schoolchildren coming together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
The memorial service, held at South Shields Town Hall was led by Pastoral Minister Jacki Dunn and Reverend Jason Wratton, and included prayers, poems and psalms.
Special Service Marks Holocaust Memorial Day
(LtR) Eric Joseph, the Mayor, South Shields MP Emma Lewell Buck, Mayoress, Margaret Gregg and South Tyneside Council Leader, Cllr Tracey Dixon
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It was attended by community representatives including the Mayor of South Tyneside Councillor Fay Cunningham, the Mayoress Stella Matthewson, South Tyneside Council Leader Councillor Tracey Dixon, Chief Executive Jonathan Tew and South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck.
The ceremony included the lighting of candles by representatives of the community.
Children from Westoe Crown and Hadrian primary schools played a key role in the service, placing leaves on a special Tree of Life, with each leaf making a pledge for what they will do to help 'keep the memory alive'.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Fay Cunningham said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is an incredibly important occasion in which, we come together to remember the millions of people who have been murdered, have seen their lives changed beyond recognition or were affected by such terrible atrocities against humanity.
"It is important that we reflect upon past experiences to challenge hatred and persecution today and in the future. With the passing of time, there is always a concern that the stories of those affected by genocide might be lost.
"Our younger generation have a key role to play in helping to keep alive the memories of those lost and ensuring these atrocities are never repeated. Their involvement makes the event all the more poignant."
Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January) is the international day of remembrance for victims of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and more recent acts of genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is 'For a Better Future'.
For further information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk