Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Helen was born in Ossett, Yorkshire and is an English actress.  Her most enduring role has been her portrayal of Gail Platt on ITV’s soap opera Coronation Street. Since arriving on the Street as Gail Potter in 1974, Gail has married four times and has had three children.

Helen joined Born Free as a Patron at our 15^th Anniversary and has been actively working on campaigns ever since.  Helen frequently appears on television fronting campaigns and involves herself on many other levels.  Most recently Helen joined Born Free at the House of Commons speaking about the proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Bill and in particular, Anne, the UK’s last remaining circus elephant. 

Much travelled, Helen has tackled ivory poaching in Africa, the plight of orphan elephants in Asia and the slum zoos of Europe.  “We sometimes relate more easily to the plight of individual animals, which helps us understand the needs of the species as a whole.  I love the fact that Born Free considers everything important.”