Cherie Booth QC talks to April

(Photograph) - Cherie Booth QC talks to April, a pupil at High Close School, Wokingham, Berkshire, in her capacity as the new president of Barnardo's. The school caters for children and young people from London and the south-east who have been excluded from mainstream education. On her visit last week Ms Booth promised to be 'an active, involved president' and to help raise the profile of Barnardo's work with more than 50,000 disadvantaged children, young people and their families throughout the UK. Roger Singleton, the charity's chief executive, welcomed Ms Booth's 'deep concern for the needs of troubled and vulnerable children and a commitment to positive action to ensure them a better future'. Ms Booth said, 'We all recognise that no child should grow up in poverty or in fear of abuse. No parent should have to raise their children in an atmosphere of constant despair. That is why I recognise and welcome the crucial role which Barnardo's plays.' Past presidents included Diana, Princess of Wales, from 1984 to 1996 and Princess Margaret, from 1947 to 1984.