Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh dies age 61
Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh dies age 61
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Camila Batmanghelidjh, creator of the Kids Company children’s charity, has died aged 61.
Batmanghelidjh, one of the UK’s best-known campaigners for disadvantaged youngsters, was known for her colourful clothing and charismatic personality.
She died peacefully on her birthday, after being ill for many months.
The Iranian-Belgian started the charity in 1996 to provide support to over 30,000 vulnerable inner-city children and young people.
She started the charity in 1996 to provide support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people
PA
She raised tens of millions of pounds from donors to fund the charity's innovative work with underprivileged youngsters.
The charity collapsed in 2015 amid allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual abuse, which triggered a massive backlash from both the public and the media.
Police later investigated the allegations, and found no evidence of wrongdoing, with the High Court clearing her of any criminality.
Whilst exonerating her, the judge praised her for the “enormous dedication she showed to vulnerable young people over many years” and her achievement in creating a charity that did “incredible work”.
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In a statement, her family said: “It is with great sadness that the family of Camila Batmanghelidjh announce her passing. She died peacefully in her sleep the night of 1 January, following a birthday celebration with her family.
“Camila dedicated her life to advocating for Britain’s most vulnerable children. She was the founder of two groundbreaking charities, Place2Be and Kids Company, which pioneered new therapeutic and clinical models to achieve a singular goal: ‘To see children and young people become safe and able to realise their potential.’”
A trained psychotherapist, Batmanghelidjh had been dubbed the "Angel of Peckham" by the media for her charity work with Kids Company.
She served as its chief executive for 19 years.
In 2013, she received a CBE for services to children and young people
PA
After Kids Company closed, Batmanghelidjh carried on her work out of the public eye, continuing to help vulnerable children, advising schools, and staying in touch with many former staff and “graduates” of Kids Company.
The 61-year-old had many accolades and was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK.
In 2013, she received a CBE for services to children and young people.
The charity Brixton Soup Kitchen said she had "donated over 100 Christmas gifts last week to less fortunate kids".