Anne tirelessly advocated for change, campaigning for babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. Her efforts led to the creation of the Back to Sleep campaign, which went against prevailing health advice at the time. Collaborating with organizations like The Lullaby Trust and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), Anne successfully spread the message and significantly decreased the incidence of cot deaths from 2,500 to 300 annually.
Recognizing the impact of Anne’s campaign, the CEO of The Lullaby Trust, Francine Bates, praised her for mobilizing media and politicians, describing it as one of the most successful public health campaigns ever. Anne’s exceptional contributions were acknowledged when she became the first non-medic to receive the Gold Medal of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and was honored with an OBE in the New Year Honours list of 2023.
While Anne celebrates these accomplishments, she remains deeply saddened by the loss of her baby son, Sebastian. Her OBE serves as a tribute to him and all the lives lost to SIDS. Anne’s commitment to raising her children and building a loving family is evident, as she takes pride in her four sons, Oliver, Conor, James, and Jake, whom she shares with her former husband, Mike.
Anne’s journey has been fraught with personal challenges. Her marriage to Mike ended due to his affair with radio presenter Harriet Scott. Reflecting on her experiences, Anne acknowledged the pain of being the “other woman” and the difficulty of trusting someone who had been unfaithful. Following the divorce, Anne declared that she would never marry again, feeling pressured into her first marriage and harboring reservations about romantic relationships.
