Madonna has given a “substantial donation” to an appeal for the victims of this week’s devastating earthquake in Italy.

The singer told People: "My heart goes out to the families that have lost loved ones or their homes."

Madonna answered a direct plea from the mayor of the hamlet of Pacentro after it was revealed she was the granddaughter of two former inhabitants of the town.

"I am happy to lend a helping hand to the town than my ancestors are from,” Madonna added.

More than 200 people died in the earthquake, which struck the Abruzzo region in the early hours of Monday morning.

Madonna’s publicist, Liz Rosenberg, refused to divulge the sum of the singer’s donation, but sources believe it is around $500,000.

(by Jason Gregory)