OSCAR-winning actress Dame Judi Dench showed she has a heart of gold with an unexpected gift to a Lakes charity.

Dame Judi, 79, who played steely MI6 boss M in the James Bond movies, was invited to be guest of honour at a charity screening of her comedy Mrs Henderson Presents at the Royalty Cinema, Bowness.

The film show was arranged to raise money for the Windermere-based Association for Independence of Disabled People (AID) and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Although Dame Judi was unable to attend as she is filming Richard lll, she sent a £1,000 cheque and a hand-signed letter to AID trustee and managing director Paul Adorian, of Windermere.

He told the Gazette he was "absolutely flabbergasted" by Dame Judi's donation. "It was a tremendous surprise and just such a nice thing to do. It was so unexpected. She's a delightful person."

In her letter, Dame Judi wrote: "I'm delighted to hear that you're having a show of Mrs Henderson Presents. We had a lot of fun making the film and I'm so pleased that it is still being enjoyed.

"I wish I could be with you. However, whenever I see myself on the screen I always wonder what that elderly small person has to do with me!

"I send my very best wishes to you all for a wonderful evening and great success with the charity. I hope the enclosed donation will help."

Mr Adorian's wife, the Hon Ruth Adorian, whose father was Lord Wakefield of Kendal, has motor neurone disease and he was inspired to set up the charity, AID, because of the difficulties they encountered when staying in hotels that were ill-equipped for disabled guests.

The charity has made Dame Judi a life member, and she sent a Christmas card to the Adorians to say thank you.

Next year the charity is planning a rally on The Mall in London to raise awareness of severely disabled people's needs.

It also hopes to arrange more charity film shows at the Royalty, complete with Wurlitzer organ performances during the interval.

The showing of Mrs Henderson Presents raised more than £5,000, to be shared between the local charity and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. To find out more visit www.disabledday.org