DESCENDENTS of a man who escaped Nazi Germany through Harwich and a woman who hid just doors from diarist Anne Frank have cycled to Amsterdam to raise money for charity.
More than 20 cyclists took part in the ride from London in aid of the Anne Frank Trust UK.
As part of the 155-mile journey they stopped in Harwich for a mayoral reception and visited the Kindertransport memorial in Harbour Crescent.
About 10,000 children, most of whom were Jewish, were packed off on the Kindertransport to escape Nazi Europe between December 1938 and September 1939.
Dropped off at Parkeston Quay, children stayed at Dovercourt’s holiday camp before they were taken off to foster families across the country.
Michael Friedler and his son Josh led the sponsored cycle ride.
His father Leo had been sent to safety on the Kindertransport through Harwich, and his mother Sybilla Zendijk had hidden for two years just doors away from famous diarist Anne Frank.
Sybilla had hidden with her parents, two sisters and a great aunt, but did not know that the Frank family were also in hiding a few doors along the same street.
Four cyclists extended their ride to the Westerbork camp in Bergen-Belsen where Anne Frank died aged 15.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here