Born Free are Twentyone!

Pollyanna was delighted to join the Born Free Foundation to celebrate their Twenty-first Birthday at an evening at Royal Geographic Society in London.

Celebrity patrons of the charity chatted to host Sandi Toksvig about their involvement with Born Free, and Winnie Kiiru of Born Free Kenya spoke movingly about the threats facing Kenya’s wildlife. Pollyanna and Anna-Louise (left) chat to host Sandi Toksvig (centre). A star studded reception followed the event, with guests including Joanna Lumley, Rula Lenska, and Martin Clunes.

The Born Free Foundation came into being in 1984, under the name Zoocheck, the first organisation to draw attention to the plight of animals in captivity world-wide, they pledged to end the confinement and suffering of animals for human entertainment. In 1991 Zoocheck became ‘The Born Free Foundation’ the new name reflecting the success of campaigns like ‘Into the Blue’ which released Britain’s last three captive dolphins into the wild. Born Free has grown into a global force for wildlife with over 65 international projects and initiatives devoted to animal welfare and conservation, and branches in Kenya and an affiliate organisation in the US. After twenty-one years of work, Born Free’s vision continues to offer a kinder, better, more compassionate future for wildlife.

Pollyanna has been pleased to offer her support to Born Free since their Zoocheck days – in 1990 she visited the Bannerghatta reserve in India with their official vet, to see five tigers which had been rescued from the most appalling conditions in a roadside circus in Kent. The exhibition inspired by seeing the rescued tigers roaming in their spacious sanctuary raised funds to help with the continued upkeep of the reserve. Since then, Pollyanna has been pleased to paint exclusive cards for the charity. She continues to support their work through the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation, and fund-raising exhibitions.

Visit for www.bornfree.org.uk or phone 01403 240170 for ideas of twenty-one ways in which you can get involved and support the work of Born Free.