Youngsters braved Storm Ashley's 70mph gales on a camping trek in the Lake District.

The group retraced the steps of the Windermere Children during the outing, aged 11 to 13, all from Manchester and Liverpool.

They embarked on this three-day outdoor experience during the Jewish festival of Tabernacles as an introduction to Holocaust education.

A total of 21 people participated in the trek organised by Regenesis, a not-for-profit organisation founded by Marc Duschenes, of Altrincham.

Mr Duschenes, a qualified outdoor instructor, has organised charity fundraising treks from the Theresienstadt ghetto in the Czech Republic to Prague, from where the Windermere Children began their journey to the UK in 1945.

The Lake District event was the first of its kind for Regenesis, which aims to educate youngsters about the Holocaust by focusing on inspirational stories of hope, survival, and resilience.

The Next Generation expedition took place from October 20 to October 22.

Marc Duschenes, founder of Regenesis (Image: Supplied) The group set up a booth as part of their festival of Tabernacles celebrations, camped out, hiked 13 miles across Lake District hills, enjoyed activities like skimming stones on Lake Windermere, and learned navigation and first aid skills.

They visited the site of the former Calgarth Estate, where the Windermere Children lived for several months after arriving in the UK in August 1945.

They also laid stones at a sapling grown from an acorn found at Auschwitz.

It is known that during the festival of Tabernacles in 1945, the Windermere Children set up a small camp overlooking Calgarth.

The north west youngsters also visited the Lake District Holocaust Project and met director Trevor Avery.

The project, established in 2013, tells the story of the Windermere Children and the community which welcomed them, with an exhibition that attracts visitors from around the world.

Regenesis aims to educate youngsters about the Holocaust (Image: Supplied) Mr Duschenes said: "Taking young people to the Lake District to see and experience where the Windermere Children were rehabilitated was for a very good reason – it was the perfect place for them to begin their Holocaust education in a gentle, non-traumatic way while also offering the chance to take part in outdoor pursuits, all designed to inform, stimulate and teach them new skills.

"Windermere is not a memorial.

"It’s the place where children came back to life, and is home to the renowned Lake District Holocaust Project."

Steven Wiseglass, from Manchester, who accompanied his 11-year-old son Coby, said: "I’ve previously experienced a trip to various camps in Poland but wasn't fully au fait with the Windermere Children.

"As their story reflects a more uplifting aspect, I thought this trek would be a good introduction to Coby’s Holocaust education."

Ian Cohen, from Liverpool, who went on the trek with his 12-year-old twin sons Harry and Charlie, said: "The Next Generation adventure organised by Regenesis was a unique and engaging experience for all who participated.

"Memories and new friendships will stay with us forever.

"This programme should be part of the curriculum and programmes of all schools and youth organisations for children of this age."

The group retraced the steps of the Windermere Children during the outing (Image: Supplied) Trevor Avery BEM said: "The work of Regenesis is exactly in the spirit of the Lake District Holocaust Project.

"The visit was emotional and inspiring in equal measure.

"Guided by the survivors themselves, we have devoted ourselves for many years to using creative ways to educate."

Regenesis participants commit to raising money for charity and have so far raised more than £50,000 for various causes including The Fed, The Christie, Cancer Research UK, Brain Tumour Research, MS Society, The Friendship Circle, Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, and St Ann’s Hospice.

Mr Duschenes said: "We’re planning a whole series of events for 2025, including another endurance walk of 90km from Terezin to Prague, another Giant Walk from Hale on Merseyside to Hale in Cheshire, more hikes and camps for families in the Lake District, and bespoke treks for charities and corporate groups."