Transforming lives in Ethiopia

A legacy of lasting change

Sir Alec will be greatly missed by all of us at Ethiopiaid and we will continue to be inspired by his values and approach. He strongly believed in helping the people who needed it most and dedicated his lifetime to reaching the people who were overlooked or forgotten. Sir Alec’s amazing legacy will live on through all the people he has helped and through the future work of our partners in Ethiopia.

We have launched The Lifetime Fund in his memory, to continue his remarkable legacy.

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    Supporter messages and memories

    Remembering our founder Sir Alec Reed CBE | 16th February 1934 – 2nd December 2025

    Catherine Shovlin

    What an inspiration! When I decided to leave the corporate world to move into NGOs, Sir Alec believed in me. I met him at my interview and was amazed by his vigor, open mind and enthusiasm for positive change. My year running EthiopiAid (1990/1) was such a learning experience for me. The good and the ...

    Ninette

    It is with thanks to Sir Alec Reed who was inspired to provide encouragement and support to the people of Ethiopia. He had the special gift to reach the many and various people of society, fostering a zeal to care. It has been my privilege to support the work Sir Alec initiated and contribute to ...

    Barbara Waters

    I had the privilege of accompanying Sir Alec in a visit to Ethiopia and to the many amazing projects which have grown out of his interest and support. He was inspirational in his practical approach to problems and deep commitment to involving talented Ethiopian people in developing solutions that work and can be maintained. His ...

    Kathryn Middleton

    I had the privilege of raising funds for, and experiencing two trips to Ethiopia with the Ethiopiaid team where I shared my skills educating and supporting incredible projects. Fond memories of sharing stories with Sir Alec.

    ...

    Chris and Roy Love

    We were sorry to hear of the recent death of Sir Alec. His legacy will live on in the various charities that he established, including Ethiopiaid, following his visit in 1987. We ourselves had gone to Ethiopia separately: Roy to work at the University in 1969 and Chris in 1970 as a UNA volunteer where ...

    Valerie Browning

    To all in the 4 Ethiopiaids, we in Afar know where your heart is and where your commitment comes from when we learn of and digest the life Sir Alec lived. We had the privilege of Alex’s visit when she related many things to us. What the people of Afar know is that Ethiopiaid hears ...

    Ethiopiaid Canada

    To Sir Alec: Thank you for the vision that set Ethiopiaid in motion. It has been a privilege to uphold your legacy; one based on dignity, partnership and a deep respect for the people of Ethiopia. Your legacy continues to inspire us. To the family and friends of Sir Alec: we send our heartfelt condolences. ...

    The team at Ethiopiaid Australia

    In honour of Sir Alec Reed. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Alec. His vision and conviction that local Ethiopian organisations should lead the way is the reason Ethiopiaid exists, and the reason our work in Australia is possible today. He lit the spark that began this organisation and remained a steadfast ...

    Ethiopiaid Australia Board

    We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Alec Reed and would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Sir Alec’s unwavering dedication and leadership combined with his vision to partner with local Ethiopian organisations, has helped so many vulnerable people in Ethiopia. He has inspired us immeasurably and ...

    Zelalem Mathewos

    Friends of our father from all parts of the world share in our profound sorrow at his passing. In particular, to Alex and the entire family, I pray that the heavenly father God grants you abundant comfort and strength during this difficult time. **“He will be remembered for the love, faith, and kindness he showed ...

    Abdul Jemal

    I deeply honour and respect his philanthropic work that he has done in Ethiopia. Let his soul rest in peace.

    ...

    Minas Hiruy

    Hope Enterprises 155 Churchill Road P.O. Box 30153 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia December 5, 2025 Mrs. Reed and Family, On behalf of everyone at Hope Enterprises, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and my wife, Elizabeth Assefa, please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your spouse, Sir Alec Reed. We are really saddened to hear of the ...

    Sir Alec Reed and Ethiopiaid

    Sir Alec’s interest in Ethiopia began in 1987 when he was invited to visit the country by an Ethiopian development worker. From this point onwards Sir Alec was committed to helping improve the lives of people in Ethiopia and went on to found Ethiopiaid in the autumn of 1989. He recognised that local Ethiopian NGOs are best placed to understand the challenges and deliver the most effective solutions.

    Sir Alec was involved in philanthropy throughout his working life. He liked to visit and personally keep in touch with the partners to better understand the challenges they were facing.

    Sir Alec was knighted for his service to business and charity in 2011. His last visit to Ethiopia was aged 80 years old with a group of supporters to mark Ethiopiaid’s 25th anniversary in 2012.

    In January 2024 Sir Alec was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the government of Ethiopia, in recognition of a lifetime’s dedicated commitment to improve the lives of people in Ethiopia.

    You can read his full obituary here:

    Celebrating our founder and his lifetime of
    extraordinary generosity

    1934

    Sir Alec born in Hounslow

    1934

    1944

    Started his first enterprise selling toy soldiers

    1944

    1960

    Founded Reed Recruitment with just £75

    1960

    1972

    Founded the Reed Foundation

    Reed Foundation

    1972

    1987

    Visited Ethiopia for the first time

    1987

    1989

    Founded Ethiopiaid with £1 million donationEthiopiaid | Transforming lives in Ethiopia

    1989

    1994

    Met with Dr Catherine Hamlin, building a lasting partnership.

    Sir Alec with his daughter Alex
    and Dr Catherine Hamlin, 2015

    1994

    2002

    Opened Ethiopiaid Ireland

    2002

    2003

    £10 million sent to Ethiopia in total

    2003

    2006

    Opened Ethiopiaid Australia

    2006

    2007

    Founded the Big Give

    Big Give

    2007

    2009

    Opened the Hope University of Science and Technology

    2009

    2010

    Won the Beacon Prize for Philanthropy

    2010

    2010

    Opened Cheshire Ethiopia’s Reed House Paediatric Rehabilitation Centre in Addis Ababa

    Sir Alec Reed and staff at Cheshire Ethiopia cutting the purple ribbon to open Reed House

    2010

    2011

    Knighted for services to business and charity

    2011

    2014

    Last trip to Ethiopia, aged 80 years old

    2014

    2019

    Ethiopiaid’s 30th anniversary

    2019

    2024

    Certificate of recognition presented to Sir Alec by H.E. Teferi Melesse Desta, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK, on behalf of the Government of Ethiopia

    Sir Alec Reed receiving a certificate of recognition from Teferi Melesse Desta, the Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK

    2024

    2026

    Ethiopiaid launches The Lifetime Fund in honour of Sir Alec’s legacy

    2026

    Why Ethiopiaid?

    We raise funds for local Ethiopian charities to transform lives and achieve lasting change.

    Our partners know the context and solutions; we listen and provide appropriate support. Growth and development are tracked in local communities using robust monitoring and evaluation. Partnerships continue as long as there’s a clear need and opportunities to make a lasting impact.

    Our vision – an Ethiopia in which every person has access to quality education, healthcare and a life of dignity.

    Our mission – breaking the cycle of poverty by enabling the poorest and most vulnerable and their communities to live with dignity, to build resilience and achieve real and sustainable solutions to the challenges they face.

    Why donate to Ethiopiaid