Categories Charity Helen Philanthropy

Damian Backs Fundraiser Participant in Honor of Helen

Marie Curie Hospice: Running for Helen

by Sam Beamish | Cornwall Live | May 13, 2021

A close friend of the late Helen McCrory has told how the star supported her family through her daughter’s illness and death. Fiona Nash said the actor would do “anything for anyone” and was a “very kind and generous person”.

Fiona’s daughter Torie Benson died 10 years ago at age 30 due to cervical cancer. To mark the anniversary of her death and raise money for the charity that supported her, Fiona’s 18-year-old son Toby Benson ran from Land’s End to The Lizard and back on Tuesday (May 11).

So far he has raised £15,500 for Marie Curie and is being backed by McCory’s husband, actor Damian Lewis.

Fiona, who lives near Land’s End, said: “I knew Helen for a very long time. I spoke to her husband last week at the funeral and I said Toby wanted to run for Helen as well as Torie.”

She said he was very supportive of the fundraiser and made a donation.

She recalled that when Torie was at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, McCory, who died of cancer last month, aged 52, was very supportive of Fiona and the family. She explained: “She knew I spent six months there with Torie. After Torie died Helen did a lot of fundraising for Marie Curie. She was amazingly kind. She was a very kind and generous person. She would do anything for anyone and was a massive philanthropist.”

Read the rest of the original article at Cornwall Online

Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Graffiti Art Project for Sir HvH Arts Foundation – April 13, 2021

Neville the Starfish

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | April 13, 2021

Damian joined the Sir HvH Arts Foundation  graffiti art project in Hampstead Heath for “Neville the Starfish.”  Looks like Neville is getting some purple highlights from our favorite Ginger! Sponsored by Love Camden, the project supported over 96 young people in the community to be able to express their talented skills.

Youngsters used graffiti to transform a bridge linking Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak. Children aged 8 to 18 spray painted the pathway leading from Savernake Road, as part of a charity scheme to encourage creativity and community engagement. The murals feature two steam trains made up of characters and creatures imagined by the children, drawing on the mystical and the magical.

Continue reading Graffiti Art Project for Sir HvH Arts Foundation – April 13, 2021

Categories Charity Helen Philanthropy

Damian and Helen on Good Morning Britain – March 12, 2021

Prince’s Trust Ambassadors

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | March 12, 2021

Damian and Helen appeared as guests on Good Morning Britain on March 12, 2021 to speak about their charity work for the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Trust Awards. This year’s ceremony was held virtually on March 11. The charity supports young people who are struggling. For more information and to donate, please visit the Prince’s Trust here.

 

Categories Charity Host Philanthropy

The Reason I Jump Discussion – Jan 25, 2021

Illuminating Conversation About the Documentary

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | January 25, 2021

To view more images of the event, please visit our Gallery here

At the age of 13, Naoki Higashida wrote The Reason I Jump, about his experience as a nonspeaking autistic child. Now, director Jerry Rothwell has adapted Higashida’s book into an award-winning documentary – an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends Higashida’s revelatory insights into autism with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window for audiences into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe. Continue reading The Reason I Jump Discussion – Jan 25, 2021

Categories Charity Host Philanthropy TV/Film Projects

Virtual Q&A Conversation for 92Y – Jan 24, 2021

The Reason I Jump

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | January 24, 2021

At the age of 13, Naoki Higashida wrote The Reason I Jump, about his experience as a nonspeaking autistic child

Now, director Jerry Rothwell has adapted Higashida’s book into an award-winning documentary – an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends Higashida’s revelatory insights into autism with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window for audiences into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe.

Director Jerry Rothwell, author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas), who co-translated Higashida’s book, and producer Stevie Lee join actor Damian Lewis (Homeland, Billions) for an illuminating conversation about the making of this extraordinary film.

Online Event – Monday, January 25, 2021 at 8:00 pm ET – ticket are $10.00 – buy tickets here

92Y needs your help. They are facing tremendous financial losses due to COVID-19. Your ticket purchase helps sustain their beloved institution and supports the creation of new, online programming that will bring comfort and inspiration to their community. Please consider donating today here.

Categories Charity Christmas Philanthropy

VIDEO: Carols by Candlelight Reading – Dec 17, 2020

Bethlehem by Carol Ann Duffy – Read by Damian Lewis

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | December 17, 2020

Damian’s part begins at about 6:24 in.

View photos of Damian’s reading in our Gallery here

Carols by Candlelight 2020, on behalf of the Alice Martineau Appeal for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, streamed their event this year for all of us to see! The pre-recorded virtual carol service was filmed at St. Luke’s Church in Chelsea and included the Winchester College Chapel Choir recording their carols from the legendary Abbey Road Studios.  Host Dame Judi Dench started off the event, followed by carols, anthems, and readings from Damian Lewis, Patrick Allerton, Luke Martineau, Emily Wilson, Jane Asher, David Haig, Jenny Agutter, Katie Melua, the Reverend Brian Leathard, and a message from David Ramsden, Chief Executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Please donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust here or text CAROLS5 to 70500 to donate £5 or CAROLS10 to donate £10.

For more information, please visit Cystic Fibrosis UK

Categories Charity Christmas Philanthropy Video

VIDEO: Charlie Waller Trust Virtual Carol Service – Dec 7, 2020

Charlie Waller Trust: Mental Health Services

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | December 7, 2020

Damian Lewis reads Henry Williamson and The Christmas Truce for the Charlie Waller Trust Virtual Carol Service held Monday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m.  To view photos of the event, please visit our Gallery here

 

The Charlie Waller community includes renowned authorities on adolescent psychology, childhood anxiety and depression. For more information, please visit their website here.

Categories Charity Christmas Philanthropy Video

VIDEO: Place2Be Virtual Carol Concert – Dec 4, 2020

Advent 1955 by John Betjeman

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | December 4, 2020

Damian recites ‘Advent 1955’ at Place2Be’s 2020 virtual Carol Concert that was live-streamed from St. Marylebone Parish Church on Thursday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. BST.  Please donate to Place2Be here by clicking the yellow donate button in the upper right-hand corner. Then, once prompted, type ‘Carol Concert’ in the ‘Reason for Donation’ section. View photos of the event in our Gallery here.

Video linked from Place2Be’s YouTube Account:

Categories Charity Christmas Philanthropy

Charlie Waller Trust Virtual Carol Service – Nov 21, 2020

Charlie Waller Trust: Mental Health Services

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 21, 2020

Join in for the first ever Charlie Waller Trust Virtual Carol Service, with readings from Damian Lewis, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Jenna Coleman, Chris Tarrant, Suki Waterhouse and more, with wonderful music from Vox Cordis and the Bradfield College and Elstree School choirs. The event will be live-streamed on their YouTube channel on Monday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. BST, 2:00 p.m. EST, 1:00 p.m. CST, and 11:00 a.m. PST. Book your ticket now, here.

Tickets cost £25 per household and you will be sent details of how to tune in to the service as well as the downloadable Order of Service ahead of the event.

The Charlie Waller community includes renowned authorities on adolescent psychology, childhood anxiety and depression. For more information, please visit their website here.

Categories Charity Christmas Philanthropy

Place2Be Virtual Christmas Carol Concert – Nov 21, 2020

Place2Be: Children’s Mental Health Services

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 21, 2020

UPDATE: View photos of the event in our Gallery here

Join in for Place2Be’s 2020 virtual Christmas Carol Concert. This special event promises to be the highlight of your festive calendar. To keep everyone safe, their annual Carol Concert will be live-streamed from St. Marylebone Parish Church on Thursday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. BST, 1:30 p.m. EST, 12:30 p.m. CST, and 10:30 a.m. PST. Cozy up at home with your nearest and dearest and tune in via a secure microsite to raise vital funds for children’s mental health services this Christmas. They have a host of amazing familiar faces joining the event to present and perform festive readings: Damian Lewis, Keira Knightley, Sophie Dahl, Ben Miller, Nina Sosanya, Rhys Stephenson, Joe Stilgoe and more. Book your ticket now, here.

Continue reading Place2Be Virtual Christmas Carol Concert – Nov 21, 2020

Categories Charity Christmas Philanthropy

Carols by Candlelight For A Crucial Cause – Nov 21, 2020

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 21, 2020

View photos of Damian’s reading in our Gallery here

Dame Judi Dench and Damian Lewis star alongside the Winchester College Chapel Choir in the 18th edition of Carols by Candlelight. The annual concert – which has gone virtual this year – raises money for The Alice Martineau Appeal for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, organized by Alice’s brother Luke. This wonderful, pre-recorded virtual carol service was filmed at St. Luke’s Church in Chelsea and at Abbey Road Studios and is being streamed online via YouTube on Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. BST, 2:00 p.m. EST, 1:00 p.m. CST, and 11:00 a.m. PST.  The event will feature celebrity messages and readings alongside songs from the choir. Buy tickets here for £10. Additional appearances by Jenny Agutter, Pat Allerton AKA the ‘Portable Priest’, Jane Asher and David Haig.

For more information, please visit Cystic Fibrosis UK
Primary Source: Country and Townhouse
Secondary Source: Classic FM

Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

PRWeek UK Awards Winners 2020: FeedNHS – Oct 28, 2020

Best Proactive Communications During the Coronavirus Crisis

by PRWeek UK Staff | PR Week | October 28, 2020

Nominated: Best Ethical or Good Cause Initiative During the Coronavirus Crisis
Nominated and Won: Best Proactive Communications During the Coronavirus Crisis

Judge’s comment:
Brilliant campaign, well executed with passion.

And the winner is, FeedNHS! This campaign aimed to raise £1m to get hot, healthy meals to frontline NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis, as many struggled to get them amid lockdown closures. It was set up by Leon Restaurants co-founder and chief executive John Vincent, actors Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory, and actor and comedian Matt Lucas.

Continue reading PRWeek UK Awards Winners 2020: FeedNHS – Oct 28, 2020