Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Our founder Virginia McKenna’s 80th birthday was celebrated in fitting style on Friday June 17th at a Gala Dinner at the sumptuous Savoy Hotel, London. 

Nearly 400 guests including BFF supporters, members, sponsors, media and friends and celebrities enjoyed tributes, memories and unique cameo performances throughout the night which was sponsored by Land Rover and The Savoy.

All proceeds from the night, which early estimates predict at being over  £200,000, will be directed towards Born Free's work.

Vintage Roots supplied the ‘Wild Thing Wine’ and Coghlans provided the cake.

Commonwealth Mint gave coins for all and presented one, the first of a limited edition of ten, to Virginia.

Author Lauren St John dedicated her next book to Virginia.

And many, many companies gave prizes for goodie bags and prizes.

The evening started with a fun ‘trunks and tails game’ hosted by quiz master Nick Knowles which was won by infamous quiz master Nicholas Parsons, who beat all in an animal knowledge quiz!

Martin Clunes and Jenny Seagrove reviewed Virginia’s career and work with animals which included a nostalgic reflection from Leslie Phillips , who lived with Bill and Virginia in Hollywood. Joanna Lumley highlighted Born Free’s work and introduced Ronnie Corbett with whom she attended BFF's inaugural event 27 years ago.

Brian May and Kerry Ellis performed a reworked version of the song Born Free, which was reworded for the night by lyricist Don Black who was also present.

Brian also played ‘Happy Birthday’ as Virginia took to the stage and thanked everyone for coming before cutting the cake and giving her own gift to all, a song 'Nothing Really Has Changed', which she wrote a few years ago and is about to be published which, performed on the night by Billy Wright, Robert Gulston and Sharon Rose.

TV auctioneer, James Lewis conducted a magnificent auction, where everyone’s generosity in giving was matched by the bidding.

Dragons' Den's Duncan Bannatyne spotted a Zinsky painting and bids for holidays to the new Medina Palms resort and Bomas building project in Kenya  and the award winning Shamwari Game Reserve with South African Airways along with other fantastic items helped raise funds. The  Shere Khan Necklace which was created especially for the evening by award winning Jeweller Catherine Best was bought by Jenny Seagrove and Bill Kenwright. Jenny is a trustee of BF and plans to use the necklace to raise awareness and even more money for the endangered tiger – there are only 3,500 living free in the wild and shockingly 11,000 in captivity in America alone.

Donal MacIntyre drew the evening to a close with a 'Soap' raffle, when Helen Worth and Rula Lenska  from  Coronation Street and John Altman of Eastenders  picked the lucky winners before everyone hit the dance floor in The Land Rover VIP lounge.

Our thanks to all who donated, helped and all who came!

The Gala would not have been possible without the generous support and efforts of many people. We’d sincerely like to thank:

Our sponsors Land Rover; The Savoy for their generous contribution towards this evening and special thanks to Ideas of the Mind and The Commonwealth Mint who produced the Great Animals of the World Limited Edition Coins; our wine sponsor Vintage Wines who donated the wine for this evening and have also contributed to our Silent Auction and Raffle Draw; to our wonderful Patrons and Celebrities who have supported us over the years; our fabulous performers Billy Wright, Robert Gulston and Sharon Rose; our generous supporters who donated items for our grand auction, silent auction, raffle and goody bags:
Mantis
Shamwari Group
Kuoni
Kenya Airways
Medina Palms
Buffalo Pictures
Chris Wright
Martin and Philippa Clunes
McArthurGlen
Encounters Asia
Coghlans Cookery School
Jo White and Global Plantations
Sports Management Group
Small Luxury Hotels
Lauren St John
Orion Publishing Group
The Commonwealth Mint
Ideas of the Mind
Gary Hodges
Disney Theatrical Group
Catherine Best and Paul Freeman
Vintage Roots
Daniel Agnew
De Savary Family
4windswholesale/Pantha Energy
Paul James
Peter Ellis
Dina Perejogina
Zinsky
Andy Buchan
ITV and Helen Worth
Arsenal Football Club
The Clinton Partnership
Astus UK Ltd
John Altman
Redbush Tea
Green Jem
South African Travel
Snow Leopard Vodka
PM & M Gravity
TC Communications
South African Airways

To the wonderful team at Coghlans for Virginia’s Birthday Cake; George Logan and Bill Procter for the photography and design; John Swannell; ATG Media; Gareth Halton from GJ s Discos; Photographers on the night Felicity Crawshaw, Ellie Logan and Mike Dooley; Martin and Andrea Stephenson at Dayfield Graphics; Wild in Art for the Lions; Polly Robertson and all at The Savoy; Harkness Roses for the Virginia McKenna Rose; all the team, friends and helpers at Born Free;

And very importantly, a big Thank You to all of you for attending the evening and celebrating with Virginia and continuing to support Born Free.