Barnardo`s principal officer dies of heart attack

Anne Van Meeuwen, principal officer in Barnardo’s policy,
practice and research unit, died of a heart attack on Sunday at the
age of 50.

A former adoption team leader in Newham she joined
Barnardo’s in 1994, and became the charity’s advisor on
adoption issues.

Over the last two years she has lead a major initiative on
children abused through prostitution as part of the “Whose daughter
next” campaign.

Ms Van Meeuwen worked with a number of national groups including
End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking (ECPAT) and the
coalition on internet safety. She was also a member of the
executive committee of the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption
Agencies and the BAAF advisory group.

Liz Garrett, Barnardo’s acting head of policy and research,
said: “Anne was someone who was held in the highest regard within
Barnardo’s and outside, respected and liked by all with whom
she worked.

“Anne’s death is a huge shock and sad loss to us all and
our thoughts and feelings are with her husband Rob at this sad
time.”