Camila Batmanghelidjh: Kids Company charity founder dies aged 61
Batmanghelidjh was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK in a 2013 list including JK Rowling and Theresa May.
Tuesday 2 January 2024 22:28, UK
Camila Batmanghelidjh, who founded the Kids Company charity and campaigned for disadvantaged youngsters, has died aged 61.
She died on New Year's Day after a lengthy illness, according to reports.
A family statement shared with The Guardian newspaper said she died "peacefully in her sleep" on the night of 1 January after celebrating her birthday with loved ones.
It described her as an "endless source of inspiration" who "dedicated her life to advocating for Britain's most vulnerable children".
The statement said: "For all those around her, and especially for her family, she was an endless source of inspiration, a fountain of wit, and a kaleidoscope of colour."
Homeless charity Brixton Soup Kitchen said it was "very sad", adding that Batmanghelidjh "donated over 100 Christmas gifts last week to less fortunate kids".
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Who was Batmanghelidjh?
Born in Iran, Batmanghelidjh rose to prominence in the UK after setting up Kids Company in south London in the 1990s to provide support for children in poverty.
The charity collapsed in 2015 amid allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual abuse. It had already received a substantial grant for the year and was handed another £3m despite it being deemed not value for money.
Police later investigated the allegations, and found no evidence of wrongdoing.
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Despite the charity's closure, Batmanghelidjh continued to work with vulnerable families and collaborated with other charities including Oasis Community Learning, now one of the largest multi-academy trusts in England.
Steve Chalke, founder of the trust, told Sky News that Batmanghelidjh was an "absolute world changer" but said the unravelling of Kids Company had a "huge impact" on her.
Mr Chalke said: "She was really strong, Camila, but it had a huge impact on her as she felt she was letting children and staff down.
"This woman was loved by everyone. Her work in south London was a real contributor to safety for marginalised young people in the city and if you look at what's happened in terms of violent crime in the city amongst young people since the collapse of Kids Company, it tells a story of its own."
Batmanghelidjh had many accolades and was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK in a 2013 list including JK Rowling and Theresa May by BBC Radio 4.
In the same year, she received a CBE for services to children and young people.
She has several publications to her name revolving around children who suffer early-life traumatic experiences such as abuse and neglect.
Her book, Kids: Child Protection in Britain, contains case studies of the most harrowing types of abuse, including rape and sustained childhood violence.