Julie Walters and Joanna Lumley are among the big names giving their backing to a Looe based charity.
Wild Futures, which runs the Monkey Sanctuary near Millendreath, is determined to end the trade in primates as pets and entertainers.
The charity provides a home and rehabilitation to monkeys and other primates that have been rescued from a life of cruelty and poor treatment.
Julie Walters said she ‘wished the organisation every success’.
‘Having witnessed first-hand the rescue and rehabilitation work that the Wild Futures’ dedicated team carries out, I have no hesitation in offering my support to their valuable efforts to protect primates and habitats,’ she said.
‘I wish their campaign to end the primate pet trade every success.’
Wild Futures will be taking part in the Big Christmas Challenge - a chance for charities to double their fundraising between tomorrow (Tuesday November 27) and December 4.
The Lions Club of Looe are among the sponsors who have pledged to match any donations made to the organisation during the coming week.
Director, Rachel Hevesi explains: ‘The monkeys in our care all arrive with emotional and physical problems. The damage can be profound and yet the trade continues to grow. In the last few months, we have rescued 10 marmoset monkeys and there are many more needing help. That is why Wild Futures is joining the Big Give Christmas Challenge.’
Campaigns officer Sarah Hanson continued: “Prevention is better than cure – we would rather stop the suffering happening than have to rescue the victims of this cruel trade. Our educational and campaigns work reaches out to the people who make the laws (and could change them), to those that could influence standards like the vets and students in our colleges and universities and of course to the people who might consider buying a monkey.’
Actress Joanna Lumley gave Wild Futures a boost when she supported the campaign for a Parliamentary Reception asking for a change in the law to prevent the primate pet trade.