Camila Batmanghelidjh, who founded the high-profile Kids Company charity, and was a well-known campaigner for disadvantaged youngsters, has died aged 61.
She died on New Year’s Day after a lengthy illness, according to reports.
Homeless charity Brixton Soup Kitchen said it was “very sad” adding that Batmanghelidjh “donated over 100 Christmas gifts last week to less fortunate kids”.
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.
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.
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, Child Protection in Britain for example, contains case studies of the most harrowing types of abuse, including rape and sustained childhood violence.
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Source : Sky News
