By Lianne Kolirin , Lianne Kolirin
A Holocaust survivor awarded an honorary doctorate was too ill to attend the degree ceremony.
Iby Knill, 93, was honoured by Huddersfield University for her contribution to Shoah commemoration and education.
But despite her absence, she was still able to address guests at the event, via her granddaughter, Julia Kinch, who accepted the doctorate on her behalf.
Reading out words written by her grandmother, Ms Kinch said she considered the award "not just a personal honour, but an honour to all the others who stand as witnesses to how far human cruelty can go".
Born in Czechoslovakia in 1923, Mrs Knill took part in the Resistance and survived Auschwitz before settling in Britain after the war. For years, she kept her wartime experience secret until a chance conversation with a student persuaded her to talk about it. She has since written a book, appeared on television and spoken to more than 50,000 young people about her experiences.
Professor Tim Thornton, deputy vice-chancellor, of the university said it was proud to honour her.
Ms Kinch told the JC that Mrs Knill was recovering from her illness.