Music icon Dolly Parton has announced she will make a personal donation of $1million towards disaster recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

 

78 year old Dolly Parton spoke at a event in her home state of Tennessee on Friday where she stated the money would come "from my own bank account" to the Mountain Ways Foundation which is aiding those affected by flooding in the region.

Parton's local commercial ventures which include the Dollywood amusement park will also donate the same amount to the Mountain Ways Foundation.

During Parton's speech the Country music star broke into song, singing "Helene, Helene" to the tune of her 1973 hit Jolene.

At least 225 people have died due to Helene, which tore through the south-east US in late September.