A global conservation charity specialising in the protection of endangered species around the world has raised over £100,000 at its latest event hosted at London’s Royal Horticultural Halls.
The Born Free Foundation’s Beyond the Bars event took advantage of venue’s spacious Lindley Hall for a black-tie fundraiser featuring a silent auction and celebrity live auction on the 30th November. The event included a vegetarian menu devised specifically for the event by world renowned Chef Sriram Aylur, of multi-award-winning Michelin star restaurant Quilon, and appearances and speeches from Born Free founders Virginia McKenna OBE and Will Travers OBE, who explained how the Beyond the Bars initiative is working to challenge the exploitation of wild animals in captivity.
Speaking before the event, Travers said: “Throughout the world millions of animals are exploited in zoos, circuses, marine parks and private collections for human ‘entertainment’. Wild animals suffer physically and mentally from the lack of freedom that captivity imposes.
“Born Free’s Zoo Check campaign is at the very heart of our wildlife charity and we remain determined to stop suffering and phase-out zoos and captive exploitation. We challenge the multi-billion pound global captive industry and are a voice for captive animals. Born Free investigates neglect and cruelty, exposes suffering and exploitation, raises public awareness, campaigns for tighter legislation and publishes ground-breaking reports.”