Dame Judi Dench has made a "significant donation" to help swell funds for the Africa famine relief efforts.
The Shakespeare in Love star is backing U.K. charity ShelterBox's drive to provide aid for people caught up in the humanitarian crisis hitting the Horn of Africa, including countries such as Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.
The organisation is sending tents for thousands of refugees fleeing the crisis, and Dench has personally handed over a donation to help the campaign.
She says, "This is a very effective and immediate way of helping those in extreme distress."
ShelterBox's general manager Tim Bunting adds, "We'd like to thank Dame Judi Dench for her support at this extremely busy time in ShelterBox's history. The East Africa refugee crisis remains a huge humanitarian task and her donation will help some of the most vulnerable refugees find shelter, warmth and dignity at a time of unimaginable difficulty."