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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Stephanie Colderick

BBC Reunion Hotel: Emotional moment Holocaust survivor's daughter meets man whose family hid her mum from Nazis

Welsh TV presenter Alex Jones' newest BBC show, Reunion Hotel, often tugs at the heartstrings as people are reunited with those from their past. In a very special union Arleen, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, met Chris, whose grandparents hid her mother from the Nazis.

Arleen, who lives in Boston, flew to Wales to meet Chris whose grandparents took in her mother, Susa, who was Jewish and pretended she was their own child during World War Two. They lived together with the couple's son - Chris's father - in Holland at the time.

Chris is from Penygroes in the Nantlle Valley and had always wanted to meet Arleen. Becoming emotional talking about Susa, Chris said: "She knew family love with my family. I'm immensely proud of my grandparents - these were ordinary people and they were heroes."

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Before meeting Chris, Arleen said: "It is amazing courage because they could have been killed if the Nazis has found that they were hiding a Jewish child in their home... we are lucky. We are all lucky that they were there at the right time, at the right place."

Arleen flew all the way from Boston to meet Chris (BBC)

The two had an emotional meeting and shared a hug. Chris also gifted Arleen orange-coloured flowers to mark the colour of Holland. You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.

Arleen became emotional as she explained to Chris how many family members she lost in the Holocaust. Emotionally she told Chris his grandparents were "heroes". Chris said: "We must never forget the Holocaust and what happened there."

A memorial ceremony was also held at the Reunion Hotel to remember Chris' grandparents and everyone who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Reunion Hotel airs on BBC One in Wales, BBC Two elsewhere, at 8pm on Thursday, April 27.

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