Categories Ajax by Sophocles Events Philanthropy Philoctetes by Sophocles Theatre

Damian Lewis Returns to Theatre AGAIN: Sophocles’ Ajax and Philoctetes Project UK – Oct 16, 2020

Theater of War Productions Presents Virtual Event: Ajax and Philoctetes

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | October 16, 2020

UPDATE: To view photos of the event, view our Gallery here.

This is a dramatic reading of scenes of Sophocles’ Ajax and Philoctetes to catalyze guided discussions about the visible and invisible wounds of war. Featuring performances by Damian Lewis, Lesley Sharp, Nyasha Hatendi, and Jason Isaacs. Translated and directed, and facilitated by Bryan Doerries. You must register for free tickets here or here.

Date And Time:
Friday, November 6, 2020
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM CST
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM BST

This special event is a collaboration with Bravehound, a Scottish charity that supports veterans and their families in the United Kingdom. We are proud to open this event up to the public, fostering healing dialogue with the Bravehound community. Bravehound supports former servicemen, women and their families by providing training and dogs to veterans. Visit Bravehound’s website here.

Continue reading Damian Lewis Returns to Theatre AGAIN: Sophocles’ Ajax and Philoctetes Project UK – Oct 16, 2020

Categories Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Poetry

Virtual Harvest Service to Feature Damian Poetry Reading – Oct 2, 2020

British Farmers Mark National Harvest Service with Online Celebration

by Ed Henderson | Farmers Weekly | October 2, 2020

Update: register here to watch online, then enter the Harvest Festival tent, then click Watch the Harvest Festival live, (link uses Zoom). You’ll be assigned a meeting ID and a passcode. Enjoy! Update Part 2:  watch National Harvest Service here. (watch Damian about 16 minutes in, and his poetry reading appears to be a repeat from 2013)

Campaign group ‘Love British Food’ has teamed up with organizers of the Greatest Online Agricultural Show for a virtual harvest service on Saturday October 3, 2020.

The event will be streamed live from 1:00 p.m., led by the Bishop of Ripon, Helen-Ann Hartley. The two-hour service will include a message from the Duchess of Cornwall, reflections on the harvest from Muslim and Jewish leaders, a bible reading from actor Martin Clunes and a poem read by actor Damian Lewis.

‘Love British Food’ established the National Harvest Service in Westminster Abbey in 2013, it was the first harvest service to be held in the Abbey in nearly half a century and every year since a different town or city across the country has played host.

Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food, said: “This year we thought it is not going to happen with church services curtailed, but the very brilliant David Hill, who organized the truly wonderful online agricultural show, got in touch and said let’s do a virtual harvest service.” In May, The Greatest Online Agricultural Show raised thousands of pounds for charity after the coronavirus forced the cancellation of farm events across the country. Ms Robinson added: “We have some lovely reflections on what harvest means to those of the Muslim faith and Jewish faith. There are some really important, poignant and powerful messages that are well worth listening to.”

The Online Ag Show Harvest Festival will also feature a virtual harvest supper and, later in the afternoon, music in the virtual beer tent. The link to join will be posted on the ‘Love British Food’ website before it goes live at midday (around 12:00/1:00 p.m.) on Saturday October 3, 2020.

For detailed information about British Food Fortnight 2020, click here
Read the rest of the original article at Farmers Weekly here

Categories Broadcast Media Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian and Helen on Magic/Scala Radio for a Good Cause – Sept 30, 2020

Bauer Stations to Support The Prince’s Trust

by Staff | RadioToday UK | September 30, 2020

UPDATE: Listen here

On Tuesday 13th October, actor and producer, Damian Lewis, best known for his appearances in Band of Brothers, Billions and Homeland, joined Simon Mayo to speak about his experiences as an Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust.

“To work with a charity that was targeting very specifically young people in this country, and grabbing them at the point where they might take a wrong turning, or might have just taken a wrong turning, but, it’s still an opportunity to steer them back on the right course, was brilliant.”

Lewis also spoke of Leon McGhie, who was awarded the Prince’s Trust Homesense Young Achiever award in 2019, who had his head turned through gang culture, and had been stabbed 5 times. “He approached the Prince’s Trust, took on their course which is called Team, not realising that the course was delivered by the MET police, and he turned his life around.”

Source:  Planet Radio

Continue reading Damian and Helen on Magic/Scala Radio for a Good Cause – Sept 30, 2020

Categories Band of Brothers Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Video Wolf Hall

The Hall School: JDRF Charity Appeal & History Matters Program – Sept 29, 2020

Charity Appeal and Digital Learning

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 29, 2020

Just this past September 11, Damian brought awareness to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF-UK) for The Hall School Triathlon Charity Appeal with this video message. It’s not too late to give, if you can, here. All money goes towards JDRF – UK’s leading Type 1 Diabetes charity.

Earlier in June of this year, Damian participated via Zoom in The Hall School’s “History Matters” series as part of their digital learning program, which focused on the boys’ curriculum. The school was honored to welcome Damian and hear him discuss his love of history.

Continue reading The Hall School: JDRF Charity Appeal & History Matters Program – Sept 29, 2020

Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Video

Heartfelt Message From Damian on BGC Charity Day – Sep 11, 2020

Ambassador for Charity

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 11, 2020

Damian sent two heartfelt messages, appealing to the public on behalf of Cure EB and to cheer on brokers for Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation on Friday September 11, 2020 to help raise funds for BGC Charity Day and we have both videos below!

Continue reading Heartfelt Message From Damian on BGC Charity Day – Sep 11, 2020

Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian and Helen will Join This Year’s BGC Charity Day – Sep 9, 2020

It’s a Team Effort on the Virtual Trading Floor

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 9, 2020

On Friday September 11, 2020 BGC Partners will hold its 16th Annual Charity Day to commemorate colleagues lost in the World Trade Center attacks. Damian will be joining the VIRTUAL London trading floor this year in support of Cure EB and Helen  will help raise funds for Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation. Both Damian and Helen assist each other’s fundraising efforts on Charity Day! Check back with us this Friday for any news or developments. Hopefully there will be pictures! See the confirmation tweets:

Continue reading Damian and Helen will Join This Year’s BGC Charity Day – Sep 9, 2020

Categories Charity Philanthropy Video

Funding Freedom from EB – July 8, 2020

Cure EB

Damian plus Sohana and her family explain what funding research means to families living with Epidermolysis Bullosa. With treatment trials started there is a real chance to improve the lives of children who are really suffering.

Please visit Cure EB.org here or their Just Giving page here.

Cure EB (formerly Sohana Research Fund) exists to treat and cure epidermolysis bullosa an inherited genetic skin condition that leads to blistering and skin loss with the mildest trauma. It is “Hard to say. Hell to live with” and children and adults with the condition live in constant pain associated with the burn like wounds that occur. The intense pain and repeated damage leads to progressive disability and severe forms are life shortening due to a particularly aggressive skin cancer that develops in early adult hood. EB children and adults have tremendous courage and resilience which helps them cope with the unremitting pain – but what they want most is to have what most of us take for granted – a pain free life.

Categories Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Zoom With Damian For Charity – May 16, 2020

Moms Against Poverty

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | May 16, 2020

If you bid just right, you could win a five minute 1:1 Zoom meeting with actor and producer Damian Lewis.

100% of proceeds will go towards Moms Against Poverty’s (MAP) global CoVid-19 hunger relief efforts. Their mission is to nurture and educate underprivileged children to their fullest potential, so that, one day, they can contribute and lead within their own communities; thus breaking the cycle of poverty. Their projects include the following programs: Education, Hunger Relief and Basic Provisions, and Orphan Care. MAP is changing the world, one child at a time.

As of publication of this post, the public has approximately six days left to bid, here.

Restrictions: Zoom meetings to be redeemed at convenience and availability of talent.

Categories Charity FeedNHS Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

FeedNHS Expands Fundraising Efforts – May 16, 2020

Rolling Out the Nationwide Campaign

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | May 16, 2020

FeedNHS is expanding its fundraising efforts from £1M to £2M. So far, £1,239,800 (*updated June 12) has been raised of the £2,000,000 target (61%). Just launched on March 27, it took the coalition only 10 days to raise the first £1M. And now they want to do it again in order to expand nationwide.

For more information, visit their FeedNHS website here and to donate, please visit the JustGiving campaign here. Here is a recent story Damian and Helen shared online:

“Hi, we’ve been raising as much money as we can to help feed NHS workers one healthy meal each day. We started in the hardest hit London hospitals and with the help of our coalition partners we’ve now taken it nationwide.

We had a target to raise 1 million pounds for our scheme and thanks to the public’s overwhelming generosity we’ve raised it. Thank you! But as more hospitals have heard about what we’re doing it’s become clear that we mustn’t stop. So our aim now is to raise 2 million (in total ) which will enable us to feed even more hospital workers across the nation. So if you can, and we know not everyone can, please donate. With you, we know we can make up the difference.

We’re Damian and Helen and like all the best things in life, this started with a chat to a friend.”

Continue reading FeedNHS Expands Fundraising Efforts – May 16, 2020

Categories Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Twitter

Damian Lewis for Ruth Strauss Foundation

Eye on the Ball

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | April 26, 2020

Damian participated in the virtual/online RSF26 Challenge in support of the Ruth Strauss Foundation while quarantined. How many taps can he get? For more information about the Ruth Strauss Foundation, visit their website here

Categories Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian and Other Prince’s Trust Celebrity Supporters Urge Young People to Seek Help During Coronavirus Pandemic – April 25, 2020

Prince’s Trust Campaign: #StartSomething 

by Staff | The Irish News | April 24, 2020

Celebrity supporters of the Prince’s Trust have joined forces to urge young people to seek help during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hollywood actor Sir Ben Kingsley, James Bond star Naomie Harris and musician Nile Rodgers are some of the famous names who appear in a video calling on those who may need support or advice to contact the Trust.

Aged 16-30 and need help? Or know someone who needs it? These familiar faces want to tell you that we’re here for you, right now. No matter what your circumstances are, or where you’re from. Whether you’re struggling to find employment or need support with your business, talk to us today using our live chat function at the Coronavirus Support Hub here.

Recorded in their own homes due to the coronavirus lockdown, the celebrities each speak a phrase of the message:

Continue reading Damian and Other Prince’s Trust Celebrity Supporters Urge Young People to Seek Help During Coronavirus Pandemic – April 25, 2020

Categories Charity FeedNHS Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Telegraph Interview: Isolated in Suffolk Put to Good Use – April 24, 2020

Isolated in Suffolk, TV’s First Couple Have Created a Scheme to Supply the NHS with Thousands of Meals

by Guy Kelly | The Telegraph | April 24, 2020

Spare a thought for celebrities at the moment. Forced into lockdown like the rest of the civilian population, and with unreliable Wi-Fi at their fourth homes, many have been unable to maintain their expensive round-the-clock PR advice.

That’s the only excuse I can think of for some recent announcements, anyway. Left unattended by people whose job it is to say, “That isn’t… the best look”, we have had the likes of billionaire Sir Richard Branson attempting to solicit mass public sympathy (and money) to help his struggling business. So, too, Victoria Beckham, who, from her Cotswolds mansion, has furloughed 25 employees rather than, say, dip into her estimated £360m fortune. Even Idris Elba, fresh from Covid-19, has drawn ire for his suggestion the “world should quarantine for a week every year to remember this time.”…

Fortunately, though, not all celebrities are quite so errant when left to their own devices. The Telegraph spoke to some who are putting their spare time to good use, beginning with actors Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory.

The couple, who have been married for almost 13 years, were working apart when lockdown neared in March. Lewis, star of Homeland, was in New York, filming the fifth series of Sky’s Billions, when the TV business started shutting down, forcing him to return to England.

McCrory, who was last seen in ITV’s Quiz, meanwhile, was closer to home, filming the sixth series of Peaky Blinders. Together with co-star Cillian Murphy and producers, it was her decision to tell the BBC she was “not comfortable doing this anymore” and request they pause production.

Continue reading Telegraph Interview: Isolated in Suffolk Put to Good Use – April 24, 2020