National diary-writing competition winners chosen to coincide with Anne Frank’s capture

Judges have chosen two winners from a national diary-writing competition to coincide with the anniversary of Anne Frank’s capture by the Gestapo 71 years ago.

Holly O’Connor and Mya-Jade Saxby, two non-Jewish teens from Belfast and Luton, were among hundreds taking part in the year-long exercise supported by the Anne Frank Trust UK.

Among the entries were heart-rending words by entrants aged between 13-15 years, the same age at which Anne wrote her diary. One entrant wrote: “I want to go back to 20th century and stop every bad thing. If I could go back I hope I could save every Jewish person.”

Trust vice president Gillian Walnes said: “The campaign received hundreds of entries from across the UK, showing the powerful thoughts and ideas of Britain’s young teenagers.”