Committee

The '45 Aid Society is a charitable organisation run by volunteers.

President

SIR BEN HELFGOTT

Born in Poland in 1929, after enduring five and a half years of Nazi persecution, Ben was brought to Windermere in 1945 together with and as one of The Boys. A British Weightlifting champion, he represented Britain in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games and was a successful businessman. Ben was a founding member of the '45 Aid Society, serving as Chairman from its inception in 1963 until 2016, when he became its President. He was awarded an MBE in 2000 for services to the community and in 2018 was honoured with a knighthood in recognition of his contribution to Holocaust remembrance and education. Amongst his many endeavours in this regard, he remains most proud of the achievements of the '45 Aid Society.

Chairman

ANGELA COHEN

Angela has been Chairman of the '45 Aid Society since 2015. Her late father, Moishe Malenicky, was one of the Boys. She now leads the Society with other members of the second and third generation, and continues the work of telling the survivors' stories at schools, universities and commercial organisations through an extensive education programme. Angela is married with two sons and two grandsons. One of her sons is TV Judge Rob Rinder, with whom she took part in a TV programme where they visited Treblinka.

Vice Chairman

PHILIP BURTON

Philip leads on communications, digital content, research and archive activities and event planning. Philip is a proud Yorkshireman. He is married to Julia, daughter of David Herman, and they have 3 daughters. He works in the Technology sector driving business growth for Technology companies.

 

Vice Chairman

MAURICE HELFGOTT

Maurice is Founder of Amery Capital, an active investor and experienced Board Chair and Independent Director in technology and consumer businesses. He chairs the British Jewish Community’s Humanitarian Agency World Jewish Relief, which brought The Boys to the UK between 1945 and 1948, and served as an Executive Director on the main Board of Marks and Spencer.

Treasurer

ALAN GREENBERG

Alan is the son of Victor (Kushi) Greenberg and has been the Treasurer of the ’45 Aid Society since 2011. He qualified as a chartered accountant before embarking on a career in private equity. In addition, he became a mediator specialising in resolving business disputes. On weekends he can occasionally be found tooting his saxophone in covers bands or brandishing cards as a referee in amateur football matches.

Secretary

KIM STERN

Kim is the son of Mietek Szternfeld (Michael Stern). His father was born near Lodz, Poland, arrived in England in August 1945 and was one of the Windermere Boys. Kim married Judy and they have two daughters and three grandchildren. He knew nothing of the '45 Aid Society until his daughter Amy "discovered" it, having accidentally met Krulik Wilder's grandson at a coffee machine in the office one day, whilst holding a copy of Martin Gilbert’s book The Boys! Kim became the Society Secretary in 2011, taking over from his daughter Amy. Kim is also actively involved in the Lake District Paradise Project.

Head of Education

SUE BERMANGE

Sue is Head of Education for the ‘45 Aid Society. Her father, Bob Obuchowski, was one of the first group of Boys that arrived in the UK.  He moved to Gateshead and then London, where he met her mum, Marie.  Also a survivor, she was hidden in a convent in France during the war. Sue made a promise to her dad that she would continue to tell his life story.  Together with the Education team, she set up an Education programme for second and third generation members, assisting them in putting together presentations, giving them confidence in public speaking and organising talks with schools and other organisations to continue the legacy of their parents and grandparents. She is married to David, has two children and four grandchildren and lives in Abridge, Essex.

Welfare Officer

JULIA BURTON

Julia is the daughter of David Herman, one of the Boys from Munkacs, Czechoslovakia. She has been Welfare Officer since 2012 and was the curator of the Memory Quilts in 2015. An experienced Holocaust educator, Julia has presented her father’s story to schools, universities and other institutions, and is a member of the 45 Aid Education Team. She is an art teacher and artist and is married to Philip, with three daughters who now also deliver presentations on their grandfather’s experiences.