Los Angeles, Jan 16 (IANS): Actor Sean Penn has thanked his ex-wife, pop star Madonna, for helping him with his charity work.

The 53-year-old, who was married to the "Material girl" singer for four years from 1985 to 1989, is founder of the J/P Haitian Relief Organisation and Ambassador-at-Large for the Caribbean country and he was delighted when she decided to come to Haiti to help him with his efforts.

Speaking at his Help Haiti Home benefit gala, Penn told eonline.com: "I don't know if I called her (Madonna) or if it was one time that we ran into each other but, I said, 'Would you like to come down (to Haiti)?'

"She said she would. She came down with her son Rocco and it was great to have them down there," he added.

Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake, which killed thousands four years ago and Penn has since been working to provide rescue and aid efforts to Haitian's whose lives have been destroyed by the disaster.