Wow! What a month! Where do I even start to unravel my latest goings on? Life is certainly a funny game, filled with unexpected twists and turns; sunrises creeping up over horizons you hadn’t even noticed existed behind the entangled thickets of everyday life.
This last month has certainly been one of those such scenarios. Busy throwing myself into my many projects; my 9-5(ish) of writing for magazines, blogging for Livelikeavip.com, the odd music review, the odd careers-related post and even keeping an eye on the St Albans Film Festival — which is very close to my heart — it can be a little hard to keep up with myself sometimes.
But following a fantastic night in London celebrating Born Free Foundation’s 30th Anniversary ‘Wild Night at the Movies‘ event, I have been overwhelmed by the response my review post on the evening received – including from the likes of journalist Kate Silverton (who chaired the interview with Born Free Founder Virginia McKenna on the night) and Will Travers OBE; CEO of the Born Free Foundation. 
But who knew that Tweeting my blog post out to the masses would result in an incredibly inspiring and motivational meeting in a private member’s club off of The Strand, London, where I would find myself talking through my lifelong journey of supporting the Born Free charity: how it’s influenced my greatest adventures (my gap year spent volunteering in South Africa), my creative talents (my only art exhibition was themed on Africa Wildlife), my travel activities (I spent time in Australia volunteering for Conservation Volunteers Australia) and my career ambitions (my first job out of university was working for Discovery Communications), with Will Travers himself?!
With fantastic support and encouragement, the result of our meeting was that I will revive my Kate on Conservation blog, with the full support of the Born Free Foundation — receiving direct information and (hopefully) a few exclusives, to bring my lovely readers my genuine thoughts and perspectives on conservation issues across the globe from a compassionate supporter’s perspective. I can’t tell you how excited I am!
In the meantime, I’ve been pretty reflective on my relationship with the charity thus far… here’s a little look back on the journey I’ve had to reach this point of blogging with Born Free Foundation:
Growing up, the stories of Joy and George Adamson’s life with animals captivated me!
So many inspiring thoughts and words on the pages of these beautiful books.
I’ve been a Born Free ‘adoptive parent’ for many years. Beginning with lions Raffi & Anthea in 1996.
Using the Born Free Foundation as the basis for my end of primary school project; 2001.
I began fundraising for the charity in my early teens, beginning with collecting used stamps and loose change, selling raffle tickets, etc. Before applying for ‘Get More Involved’ packs.
I remember holding a tap top/bake sale of goods from my front lawn when I was about 14. On refection, it may have been a little more effective if I didn’t live in the bottom of a cul-de-sac…
(Above and below): Some of my early fundraising initiatives. Designing my own (rather crude-looking now) Born Free stationary and calendar.
A little look inside my homemade calendar…
Following Born Free updates over the years (some of my hoard, which runs from 2002 – 2014!)
2008, aged 18, I made the life-changing decision to volunteer at Shamwari Game Reserve, home of the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries.
The letters I received at the beginning and end of my volunteering trip.
Celebrating Born Free’s milestones over the years – 21st anniversary, 25th, and this year’s 30th year of the foundation!
The latest collection of literature I’ve been given in the last month – a bit of background reading for my blog posts to come!!
