THE legacy of the founder of the charity the Kids Company, Camila Batmanghelidjh, who died on New Year’s Day, aged 61, will “live on in each life touched by her kindness and love”, the founder of Oasis, the Baptist minister the Revd Steve Chalke, said on Tuesday.

Kids Company, which supported deprived inner-city children, collapsed in 2015 amid allegations of sexual abuse within the charity and accusations of financial mismanagement. A police investigation found no evidence of criminality, and a High Court judgment dismissed claims of mismanagement. The judge praised Ms Batmanghelidjh for the “enormous dedication she showed to vulnerable young people over many years”.

Mr Chalke wrote on social media on Tuesday that he would “forever be grateful for her wisdom and depth of love for children. Equally, for all she contributed to my understanding as well as to Oasis since 2015.”

A family statement announcing her death said: “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.’”

Mr Chalke also said that Ms Batmanghelidjh “dedicated her life to advocating for the most vulnerable children, especially those who fell through the gaps in social & NHS services.

“She was a force of nature. A world changer. Camila’s legacy will live on in each life touched by her kindness and love.”