The Born Free Family celebrates Footsteps to Freedom Ball 2026

Kirsty Gallacher hosting the ball (c) Doug Peters/PA Media Assignments

Born Free’s annual fundraising ball, Footsteps to Freedom 2026, marked the 60th anniversary of the iconic Born Free film and the charity’s ongoing efforts for wildlife in need in style, with a remarkable evening in honour of our work protecting wild animals around the world.  

Sponsored by Crew a la Mode, the ball’s 300 guests joined Born Free staff, Patrons, Trustees, and supporters for a night of celebration and fundraising. The Royal Lancaster London’s Westbourne Suite was impressively decorated with stunning panels of wildlife photography by George Logan all around the room, and an eye-catching centrepiece supported by LIVE.TEAM encouraging guests to take part in the Gift Tree and raffle. 

Exquisite vodka cocktails created by the mixologists from the ‘Bar LeonElsa’ were generously provided by Altamura Distilleries on arrival, before guests took their seats for a delicious vegetarian and vegan dinner.  

Born Free Patron, compassionate animal lover and powerhouse broadcaster, Kirsty Gallacher, hosted the evening in style, while friend of Born Free, West End superstar Kerry Ellis, took to the stage to introduce one of the night’s special guests: veterinarian, Dr Johan Joubert. 

Flying in from South Africa for the ball, Johan is retiring this year after 30 incredible years as head of wildlife and vet services at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where he has led the team caring for all Born Free’s rescued resident big cats, as well as all the wild animals in the reserve. 

The evening’s entertainment opened with a special message from Born Free’s co-founder, Dame Virginia McKenna, who, although unable to attend in person, was as inspirational as ever talking about the 60th anniversary of the Born Free film, and the movement it created. Virginia’s message was seamlessly echoed by the stirring and iconic opening bars of John Barry and Don Black’s award-winning ‘Born Free’, memorably sung by Matt Monro, during which stars of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Kristina Rhianoff and Pasha Kovalev, took to the dancefloor for a rumba, choreographed exclusively for their Footsteps to Freedom performance. 

Acclaimed Downton Abbey actress, Dame Penelope Wilton, then joined her cousin Will Travers OBE, the charity’s Executive President, onstage where she accepted the prestigious Winsome Constance Kindness Award on behalf of Dame Virginia McKenna. The award is an annual prize which, for 30 years, has been presented in recognition of efforts to promote the protection of wildlife around the world. Previous recipients included Captain Paul Watson, the late Dr Dame Jane Goodall, and Sir David Attenborough. 

Addressing  a captivated audience, Will Travers said: “Who would have thought in those far off days, when six of us, including Virginia and Bill, sat around the kitchen table – the same table I still use today – and put one pound each into the hat, that we’d be here, now, together, stronger than ever, fighting for a cause so close to our hearts and so vital for our future. 

“Born Free has two overriding objectives: Ending the exploitation, suffering and killing of wild animals; and protecting wild animals, their habitats, and ecosystems. Every action we take should be judged against these aims, and every one of those actions simply must have maximum impact. 

“These are deeply challenging times, when all who care about our natural world must step forward in its defence. But, those of you who know me, will know I am an optimist. I look for what CAN be done. What IS possible. And working for Born Free, leading an amazing team, I have good reason for that optimism.” 

Will went on to describe Born Free’s recent achievements in Ethiopia, Kenya, India, and South Africa, as well as talking about Born Free’s policy work, and community engagement and education, before leaving guests feeling hopeful for the future with his closing remarks. 

“This is not a time to be downhearted. This is a time to be positive and ambitious. A time to invest in a winning formula. Let’s be bold, let’s be excited, and let’s take Born Free to the next level.” 

“We are Born Free. You are our Foundation,” he concluded. 

Guests were then shown a powerful new short film created especially for the ball, entitled “What will you tell your children”, which posed exactly that question – what will we tell our children if we let nature be destroyed? Or will we be able to tell them that we stood up, and took action to save it? 

With the audience feeling both emotional and inspired, the incomparable James Lewis took to the stage, to host the evening’s live auction. Unique lots ranged from an original Absolutely Fabulous rehearsal script, signed by Born Free’s Founder Patron, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Jennifer Saunders, to an incredible safari experience in Kenya which included the opportunity to name a wild lion! 

The evening ended with Andrew Bourn and his live band, and dancing until midnight rounding off a night of inspiration, hope and action for wild animals that will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to be there.