Kids Company founder 'Angel of Peckham' dies aged 61 days after birthday party
Founder of Kids Company charity Camila Batmanghelidjh has died, her family has confirmed.
The 61-year-old was known for setting up the cause, which helped disadvantaged children. Her work earned her the nickname the "Angel of Peckham" for helping youngsters in deprived areas of East London.
In a statement issued by her family on Tuesday, they 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 ground-breaking 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.’"
Kids Company was hit by scandal in 2015 after BBC's Newsnight aired allegations of sexual abuse at the charity amidst a £3million government investment. The claims, which were subsequently investigated by police who found no evidence of wrongdoing, led to a donor to pull out of a major investment and the charity later closed as a result of financial troubles.
'Kids Company founder tried to glue a broken society back together with love'
The high court later rejected the claim that Kids Company had been mismanaged and charitable funds misspent. The judge praised her for the “enormous dedication she showed to vulnerable young people over many years” and her achievement in building a successful charity that did “incredible work," The Guardian reports.
Her family added: "Working alongside her devoted colleagues and dedicated volunteers and donors, Camila changed the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people in London and Bristol otherwise neglected by a failing child protection system. She showed these children that they were worthy of love and support.
"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."
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