A legacy worth its weight in gold: Sir Ben Helfgott Day marked in the Lake District

A school in the Lake District has paid tribute to Sir Ben Helfgott, the Polish-born Holocaust survivor and celebrated British weightlifter, with an inaugural day in his honour.

On what would have been his 96th birthday, The Lakes School joined forces with British Weightlifting, The Academy Programme and the Lake District Holocaust Project to mark Sir Ben Helfgott Day, celebrating his commitment to Holocaust education and his remarkable sporting career.

The school sits on the former Calgarth Estate, where 300 child survivors of the camps, later known as the Windermere Children, were brought to recover in 1945. Sir Ben was among them.

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His sons, Michael and Nathan, attended the event with his grandsons, Reuben and Noah. More than 150 people took part in community weightlifting and fitness sessions, from primary pupils to older adults, in a programme designed to reflect the values Sir Ben embodied.

Michael Helfgott said: “Windermere has always held a special place in the hearts of all our family. It was the place where my father had enjoyed his freedom after the horrors of the Holocaust, and it was here where he really began his rehabilitation together with fellow Survivors, who had all been brought to England by the Central British Fund (now World Jewish Relief).”

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Noting that last year the school had dedicated their new gym to his father, he added: “He would have been delighted that the School was opening itself out to the local community so as to promote physical education for all.”

Sir Ben’s 16-year-old grandson, Noah Helfgott said: “After the session we talked to some of the kids who seemed to really enjoy it and they asked about my grandpa and the other Survivors that came to the area. I was amazed at how engaged the local community were with the story of The Boys’ arrival in the area and the legacy they have left.”

Luke Brown, organiser of the event and PE teacher at The Lakes School said: “His journey from the Piotrkow ghetto, Buchenwald, and Theresienstadt to international sporting success in weightlifting was nothing short of extraordinary.”

Sir Ben’s son Nathan Helfgott said: “Luke and his colleagues’ commitment to ensure the memory of the group of survivors who were rehabilitated at the school site and went on to assimilate and contribute so positively to British life and community is maintained by running this event and many others, is remarkable. “

“Especially on the birthday date of my father, I imagined how happy he would have been to see the great work they have done and so many new weightlifters.”

Steve Sharp, Team GB weightlifting coach, said: “The day was to celebrate a man who came from dark beginnings yet went on to become a beacon of light that will inspire many generations to come. My only hope is that Sir Ben’s legacy is continued and we see more potential Olympians come out of the Lakes.”

Trevor Avery, director of The Lake District Holocaust Project, and a friend of Sir Ben for more than two decades, added: “The reality of seeing and feeling the weights brought home how extraordinary Ben’s capabilities were. The fact he had survived such horrors and deprivation in the camps made it even more extraordinary.”

“Sir Ben Helfgott was a giant in the world of Holocaust commemoration and education and devoted his life to ensuring the lessons of the horrors of the Shoah were embedded in UK schools and society.”

Sir Ben’s twenty one year old grandson Reuben Helfgott said: “I joined a workout group with my brother to learn about weightlifting technique. It was very challenging! The school had gone to great lengths to post literature all around the gym hall about The Boys’ stories, including my grandfather, of whom there were many photos of his time as an Olympic weightlifter.”

Ken Pickering, head of humanities at the Lakes School, said: “Providing children in Cumbria with the chance to learn about Jewish culture and history — and to meet Jewish leaders face to face — is vital in demystifying a community they would normally only very rarely encounter beyond their RE and history lessons.

“Opportunities like these broaden understanding, challenge misconceptions and build genuine empathy. At The Lakes School, where 300 Holocaust survivors found refuge in 1945, we are especially proud to continue fostering this spirit of openness and learning.”

Just 10 years after arriving in the Lake District, Sir Ben had rebuilt his life to such an extent that he competed in weightlifting for Great Britain at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 1960 Rome Olympics, won a Bronze medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games, became a British Champion and earned three consecutive Maccabiah Games Gold medals.

Sir Ben Helfgott died on June 16, 2023, aged 93, survived by wife Arza, sister Mala and sons Maurice, Michael and Nathan. He was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2018.