Virginia McKenna’s book The Life in My Years can now be purchased in Australia through Currency Press for AU$64.95 inc p&p.

We also have 5 copies to give-away, to the first 5 people to send an email to homeandaway@seven.com.au and put 'My Life in Years' in the subject line.

Pictures from Virginia McKenna's personal collection have been added to the gallery below. Virginia has a strong connection with Australia as her daughter Louise, four grandchildren and one great grandchild live in W.A.

Millions of people have been moved by the amazing affection between Christian the lion and his human friends, John and Ace. Virginia McKenna and her husband Bill Travers were instrumental in helping the boys to set him free. Here is a personal message from Virgina.

"Two Australians have a special role to play in the amazing story of Christian the Lion. Ace Bourke and John Rendall were living in the UK when they bought Christian from Harrods pet department all those years ago. Their decision not to send him to a zoo and my husband Bill’s determination that, with George Adamson’s help, Christian could be returned to Africa, created what many regard as one of the most memorable wildlife films of all time. The full film, Christian The Lion at World’s End, tells the remarkable true story of how a zoo-bred lion returned to his ancestral home via a London furniture shop and my home in the English countryside. It contains the original of ‘The Reunion’, now seen by more than 50 million people worldwide on YouTube. Of course, we all now know that wild animals belong in the wild, not in zoos, circuses or safari parks. That’s why Christian’s story of inspiration and the work of the Born Free Foundation must go on. Helping wild animals in need has been part of my life for 25 years and I hope Channel 7 viewers will want to help too.”

Virginia McKenna OBE, Founder and Chair of Trustees, Born Free Foundation

You may wonder why this article on 'A Lion called Christian' is on the Home and Away website. I have been fortunate enough to do some work with Virginia and Bill and have seen their garden in Surrey and the claw scratches left by Christian on their trees. I will use any excuse to promote their fantastic work and I hope you will also be touched by the story of A lion called Christian. - Tania Seager, Online Producer, Home and Away website.

Check out our photo gallery here.

The DVD Christian The Lion at World’s End can be ordered from the Born Free website. for AU$32 inc p&p

To find out how you can join the driving force to save these magnificent creatures, visit the Born Free website.