Lotte Lori Michaelis was 26 when she was forced to flee her homeland.

The year was 1939 - the dawn of the outbreak of war in Europe - and Mrs Michaelis, a Bavarian Jew, was on the run from Hitler's Nazis.

As a Jew, Mrs Michaelis and her family had suffered systematic persecution at the hands of their "rulers", until the time came when Mrs Michaelis had to leave her home. Imprisoned for a night, she managed to escape and flee to Holland from where she came to England, eventually settling in London. She was joined by her brother, Fred, who was able to escape the terror of Dachau concentration camp after his parents paid money to the Nazis to let him escape.

Mrs Michaelis' parents themselves were not so lucky. Both lost their lives in the concentration camps, as the horror of the "final solution to the Jewish question" began to unfold.

But despite her struggle, even though she was a stranger in a foreign land, Mrs Michaelis was determined not to let life get the better of her. Staying up until 2am, she taught herself English until she became so proficient at the language she was able to follow her chosen career in nursing.

And after passing her exams at the end of the war in 1945, job commitments brought her to Bradford where she still lives.

But despite the turbulence of her life, there's one thing that strikes a constant chord throughout - Mrs Michaelis' kindness.

When she's not visiting cancer patients, people at Menston's High Royds Hospital, or others with disabilities, Mrs Michealis can usually be found at the Help the Aged shop in Bradford city centre.

Always ready to help anyone in difficulty, ever willing to lend a helping hand, it's Mrs Michaelis' warm and generous character which has led to her nomination for the T&A's Bradford's Best Citizen award.

Catherine Townend, 84, of Haworth Road, is one of the dozens of people who've benefited from her friendship.

Mrs Townend said: "She's a really wonderful person, she helps everyone she comes into contact with.

"One example is my husband died nine years ago - he had bad circulation problems and had to have his arm amputated.

"Mrs Michaelis came round and said she was a trained nurse and said if we ever needed any help she would always be there for us."

Mrs Michaelis said: "I'm very surprised to have been nominated. It's a very nice idea.

"I'm out most days visiting people, but really, I don't feel good enough to be nominated."

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