Actress Rosamund Pike has backed a campaign to help a team of women clear unexploded landmines in Laos.
The Gone Girl star has urged people to donate to the Unlock the Land appeal, from the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), which aims to fund the removal of bombs left over from the Vietnam War.
The Golden Globe winner said: “Right now, right this minute, deadly, unexploded bombs are threatening the lives of the children in Laos in southeast Asia, even though those bombs were dropped decades ago.
“People are putting their lives at risk every single day, not knowing that hidden dangers lurk in their land.
“Communities are trapped, families cannot farm without fear and children cannot go to school or play in safety.”
MAG said that Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita and had two million tonnes of explosives dropped on it during 580,000 bombing missions.
The Manchester-based charity uses highly trained staff and special machinery to find and destroy landmines.
Pike, who is an ambassador for the charity, said: “Clearance means kids can play safely and entire communities can develop and thrive instead of living in fear of bombs.
“These communities need help right now and that is why I’m backing the work of MAG and the brave deminers of Laos. (Sky)