An unlikely trio has teamed up in support of the latest fundraising campaign by the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox. 

The Cornwall-based charity specialises in emergency shelter for people who have been driven from their homes by disaster, conflict, or the climate crisis. 

Actress Imelda Staunton, children’s author Sarah Tagholm, and illustrator Karen George have collaborated on a special project to help launch the charity’s winter fundraising appeal that will fund its responses around the world.  

Imelda Staunton said: “It’s hard to fathom that 110 million people around the world – nearly double the number of people in the entire UK – are displaced, having had to leave their homes because of disaster, conflict, or the climate crisis.   

“For people without adequate shelter – having had no other safe option but to leave homes, livelihoods, belongings and loved ones behind, the winter months can make it even more difficult. 

“I’ve been a supporter of ShelterBox for years - their responses to disasters providing families with emergency shelter and other essential items is simple but tangible. Like solar lights for dark nights, water filters for drinkable water, thermal blankets to stay warm, and shelter so people can protect their families from the cold, wind, and rain.   

“So, when ShelterBox asked me to narrate their film based on the experiences of families they met after the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, I was glad to be able to support their appeal and help raise awareness for displaced people, families, and communities around the world.” 

The campaign is inspired by the people the charity is supporting in Syria and Türkiye following the series of devastating earthquakes earlier this year.  

Imelda has voiced a children’s picture book written by children’s author Sarah Tagholm for a short campaign film. ‘In The Cold Night’ raises awareness of the threat the cold poses to people fleeing conflict and disaster.  

She has experience bringing stories to life, famously narrating the audiobooks of Julia Donaldson including The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale.   

Sarah is the author of picture books Wolves in Helicopters and Sam Francisco King of the Disco. Her next book We are the Wibbly is published by Bloomsbury in March.   

Sarah, who spends the first part of her week working as a celebrity liaison for ShelterBox, said: “Being surrounded by the voices of the people ShelterBox supports helped give me an idea of how living through an earthquake might feel to a child.  

“Writing in first person is always my preference and after chatting to ShelterBox staff who had met families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria and reading the transcripts of the interviews, I developed a voice, and the plot came easily – I even managed to sneak in a cat!  

“Picture books are usually 12 spreads but being primarily for social media we needed to cover it in six. I think we managed to keep its character despite being so few words and once the manuscript was agreed it was all about who would be best placed to illustrate the work.”  

The book is illustrated by Karen George, who said: “Whilst researching for the illustrations for this ShelterBox project, it has at times been heart-rending to read about, and respond to, the devastating stories of people’s lives suddenly torn apart by earthquakes, losing loved ones and their homes. But amidst the desolation, these stories also have a sense of hope, brought about by the passion and determination of the ShelterBox workers and volunteers.   

“As an illustrator, I feel very fortunate to have been able to contribute in a small way to the ShelterBox story, as they continue to help rebuild the lives of families and communities across an ever-challenging world.” 

The Cornwall-based charity has supported more than 2.5 million people across around 100 countries around the world.