“We
called it the Freedom Ball, which may sound strange as many
animals and humans are in captivity. But Nelson Mandela showed
us that when the spirit is free, the chains are powerless. Born
Free has been able to bring lions and leopards from stark captive
conditions to the sympathetic natural environment of the Shamwari
Game reserve….. they can walk on the grass, feel the breeze,
hear the wild sounds of the bush. Freedom is a beautiful word”
Pollyanna chats with GMTV presenter Fiona Philips
(left)
Pollyanna catches up with Winnie Kiiru
(left) , the wildlife Consultant from Born Free Kenya.
Visit www.bornfree.org
for more pictures from the ball, and to learn more about the
Foundation's work with wildlife. | The
Born Free Foundation Freedom Ball
Pollyanna was pleased to be a guest at a glamorous Born
Free Foundation event recently – their Freedom
Ball, held in a sumptuously decorated marquee on London’s
South bank.
The ball was hosted by Martin Clunes, who
as well as being a Born Free Patron has kindly supported the
Pollyanna Pickering Foundation, and drew the
winning ticket in our 2005 prize draw. The evening opened with
Zulu dancers from Durban, followed by a safari themed quiz,
and performance artists dressed as golden leopards. CEO Will
Travers introduced his mother, Virginia McKenna
to the stage – her moving address was rewarded with a
standing ovation. Kiki Dee sang an emotional
version of the song Born Free despite a little technical difficulty
with the microphone! The Auction was hosted by comedian Graham
Norton, who recently visited Ethiopia’s Bale
Mountains to report on the world’s most endangered member
of the dog family, the Ethiopian Wolf. Pollyanna sat with newsreader
Jan Leeming (picturesd above left) during the
African themed meal – and the two exchanged survival stories
from Pollyanna’s expeditions and Jan’s stint in
‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here!’.
So far, Pollyanna has not been required to eat any live insects
or kangaroo testicles on her travels……
The Born Free Foundation can count many celebrities among their
supporters – also spotted on the evening were Fame Academy’s
David and Carrie Grant (above
with Pollyanna), Joanna Lumley, Jenny Seagrove,
Pet Rescue’s Wendy Turner-Webster with
her husband Gary, Eastender’s Wendy Richards
and Coronation Street’s Helen Worth,
DIY presenter Nick Knowles and fashion designer
Scott Henshall. Pollyanna was pleased to catch
up with GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, and
Winnie Kiiru, the wildlife Consultant from
Born Free Kenya.
The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation was pleased
to donate £1000.00 towards the wonderful total of £150,000.00
raised during the evening.
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