Auschwitz survivor's life to be celebrated ahead of his 100th birthday

Ron Jones has lived an extremely interesting life.

He was taken to Auschwitz as a prisoner of war more than 70 years ago and is also claimed to be Britain's oldest poppy seller, having volunteered for the Royal British Legion appeal for more than 40 years.

Now his life is being celebrated with a special event hosted by Newport City Council.

A presentation is being held ahead of Ron's 100th birthday which he will celebrate early next year.

He will be presented with his war medals which have been cleaned and remounted.

Ron witnessed the atrocities carried out by the Nazi regime against the Jews whilst a prisoner during the Second World War.

He also found himself playing as the goalkeeper in a Welsh football team alongside other prisoners.

The father-of-one revisited Auschwitz three years ago and told how the horrors of war continue to drive him forward in selling poppies.

His time as a prisoner led him to detail his memories in a book entitled the 'Auschwitz Goalkeeper'.

99-year-old Newport man named 'Britain's oldest poppy seller'

You can catch up on our interview with Ron in Newsweek Wales here