Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Brad Pitt donates £700 to local neonatal ward while filming zombie movie in Devon

The A-lister left one fundraiser 'completely dumbstruck'

Matilda Battersby
Monday 26 November 2012 13:44 EST
Comments
Brad Pitt donated £700 to a Devon neonatal unit
Brad Pitt donated £700 to a Devon neonatal unit (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Brad Pitt contributed £700 to a charity fundraiser while shooting apocalyptic zombie movie World War Z in Dorset.

The 48-year-old actor who, along with his wife Angelina Jolie, is a big supporter of Unicef, left one bucket shaker “completely dumbstruck” when he made the donation to Southampton hospital neonatal unit.

Tricia Wilson-Hughes, who works in a gift shop in Lulworth, was collecting funds for the baby unit where her friend’s infant was cared for after suffering from gastroschisis – a condition where the intestinal wall sticks out of the body.

She approached the film crew after they passed the shop where she works. The team contributed around £40 and when Wilson-Hughes spotted Pitt’s security guard she asked for a donation.

"[The guard] came back about 10 minutes later and said this is off Brad for your charity,” Wilson-Hughes told the BBC.

"He said there's £700 in there, I couldn't believe it, I was completely dumbstruck. He said if he had more he would have given it. I said honestly that is more than enough, but if he wants to do anything in the future that is absolutely fine.”

Wilson-Hughes added: "You hear negative stories about A-listers but I won't hear a wrong word against him, I am in awe of him."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in