Sir Erich Reich, a prominent member of the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) and former trustee and chair of AJR’s Kindertransport group, passed away this morning at the age of 87.

Born in Vienna in 1935, Sir Erich arrived in the UK at the age of four, along with his brothers, fleeing Nazi persecution on a Kindertransport train.

Once in the UK, Reich worked in the travel industry, becoming a successful entrepreneur. In 1987 he founded Classic Tours, a charity fundraising initiative that specialised in activity-based global travel and raised over £60m for charity.

According to AJR, Sir Erich was “always ready to advocate for and represent his fellow Kinder.”

Sir Erich was proud to be the smallest boy depicted in the famous Kindertransport statue by Frank Meisler at Liverpool Street Station.

Kindertransport statue

The Kindertransport statue by Frank Meisler at Liverpool Street Station, featuring Sir Erich Reich (Credit: Frank Meisler)

He was knighted in 2010 for his charitable work, which has enabled thousands of people to raise millions of pounds through sponsored challenges such as bike rides and treks.

Michael Newman, chief executive of the AJR, said “We are all deeply shocked and hugely saddened by this terrible news. Erich was a great personal friend and mentor to me, and a popular presence at any AJR gathering. We will all miss him terribly. We send our sincere condolences to his family and will greatly treasure the happy memories we have of him.”

Muswell Hill Synagogue, of which Sir Erich was a member, has wished his wife Lady Linda Reich, his children, and all his family “strength and long life at this difficult time.”