Categories Awards Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Will Present The McCrory Award in June

The McCrory Award Exhibit

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | March 20, 2022

Photo Cred: Debbi Clark

Debbi Clark, CEO and founder of Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation, announced on Instagram Friday, March 18, 2022 that a photography exhibition in honor of former Patron Helen McCrory will be held at the opening of Alon Zakaim Fine Arts’ new gallery space on Cork St. in London on June 15, 2022, with donation proceeds going to HvH Arts Foundation.

The McCrory Award event will feature exclusive prints of Helen McCrory donated by eight photographers, as well as Clark’s own prints. A series of images of artists close to Helen have honored this event to allow Clark to take their portrait as well. In addition to Damian Lewis, Helen’s close friends such as, Jude Law, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sadie Frost, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Fay Ripley and Sienna Miller have agreed to sales of their image with 100% of proceeds donated to The McCrory Award, per Debbi Clark Photography’s Instagram post here.

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Categories Charity Old Friends Philanthropy Theatre

Damian Lewis Confirmed for Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Old Friends’ Gala

A Celebration in Aid of the Sondheim Foundation 

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | March 3, 2022

The Old Friends gala is a celebratory salute to the legacy of the legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s life and work in a one-night-only performance for the Sondheim Foundation. With over 30 Broadway and West End all-star cast members confirmed, audiences will be enthralled with appearances by performers who have starred in Sondheim’s work over the decades such as, Damian Lewis, Dame Judi Dench, Bernadette Peters, Imelda Staunton, Hannah Waddingham, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Daniel Evans, Petula Clark, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester and Clive Rowe, with more names yet to be announced. Dame Judi Dench is said to be performing ‘Send in the Clowns’ from A Little Night Music and Bernadette Peters will perform ‘Losing My Mind’ from Follies.

As for Damian’s act, we can only speculate at this point that he will reprise a song he sang during his 1998 performance in Into the Woods. Damian played both the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince singing ‘Hello, Little Girl’ and ‘Agony,’ but also sang with Company on the following numbers: ‘Opening: Into The Woods,’ ‘First Midnight,’ ‘Second Midnight,’ ‘Opening: So Happy’ and the ‘Finale: Act One and Act Two.’  Visit our Gallery here for program information about that production.

The fundraising event will take place at The Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End on May 3, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. There will be a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo for the event. Tickets go on sale March 15 here.

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

The Helen McCrory Studio Theatre

“Be yourself. Comparisons are odious. To thine own self be true.”

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

Photo: Debbi Clark – Sir HvH Arts Instagram

Damian Lewis, patron of Sir HvH Arts Foundation was in attendance for the official opening of The Helen McCrory Studio Theatre at Francis Holland School Regent’s Park (FHS). The grand opening of the Art, Drama and Music studios was held on Tuesday November 23, 2021 from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The drama studio theatre is in honor of the late Sir HvH Arts Foundation patron Helen McCrory, who made an invaluable contribution to Drama at FHS.

Guests were given guided group tours of the new facilities where FHS students showcased the high caliber of work they produce during their art, drama and music lessons. In The Helen McCrory Studio Theatre, students performed costume rehearsals for the upcoming performance of Jane Eyre at the Steiner Theatre. Helen devoted much time and passion to HvH Arts, with Francis Holland School Regent’s Park being one of the foundation’s main sponsors over the years.

For more information about the foundation, visit Sir HvH Arts website here.

Categories Charity Dream Horse Host Philanthropy Poll

Best Drama Films of 2021

The Reason I Jump and Dream Horse

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | October 7, 2021

‘The Week’ UK has recently published their best drama films of 2021 and I noticed not one, but two that Damian Lewis either starred in or advocated for charity in this top 35 list.

Back on January 25 of this year we reported that Damian conducted an online talk with Director Jerry Rothwell, author David Mitchell (who co-translated Higashida’s book) and producer Stevie Lee for an illuminating conversation about the making of the extraordinary documentary film, The Reason I Jump. Ticket proceeds of the virtual event went to the charity 92nd Street Y to help sustain their community organization and support the creation of new, online educational programming in literature, culture and the arts, as they were facing tremendous financial loss due to CoVid-19.  You can view photos of that online event in our Gallery here.

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Categories Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Print Media

Damian Lewis Urges Fans to Sponsor CureEB Marathon Runner

Regent’s Park Marathon for CureEB

by Staff | NY Times Post | October 1, 2021

Damian Lewis urges fans to sponsor mum running London marathon to fund research into daughter’s rare genetic disorder. Mum Sharmila Collins is running London marathon on Sunday, October 3, 2021 around Regent’s Park to fund research for her 19-year-old daughter’s rare genetic disorder which causes her skin to wound and blister. This will be her twelfth marathon for her daughter, who suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Sharmila, the founder of the charity CureEB, is desperately looking for a cure for her daughter Sohana’s devastatingly painful genetic skin disorder.

And despite saying she “hates running,” the mum is determined to keep going because she “hates EB more.”

Supporting the cause, Billions star Damian Lewis said, “I am extremely proud to be a patron of CureEB. The pain Sohana has to live with daily is unimaginable.”

“Her condition will worsen and we now have a race against the clock to find and fund effective treatment.” Sharmila is incredibly driven and relentlessly focused on improving not only her daughter’s life but also those of other children with this terrible condition. She has raised millions of pounds for research into EB, at times single-handedly. It’s hard enough to run one marathon but 12 in a year is extraordinary, particularly when Sharmila works so hard every day to find a cure for EB. I am in awe of her. Please sponsor Sharmila and help change the lives of these children and young people.””

If you’d like to sponsor, please donate to CureEB on their Just Giving page here

If text giving is easier, please text CURE to 70300 to give £3. Or you can text CURE 5 to give £5 and CURE 10 for £10.

Continue reading Damian Lewis Urges Fans to Sponsor CureEB Marathon Runner

Categories Charity Gallery Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Supports BGC Charity Day 2021

On the Trading Floor for CureEB and HvH Arts Foundation

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 10, 2021

Damian makes trading look easy as he participates in the 17th annual BGC Charity Day 2021 on Friday, September 10, 2021 at Canary Wharf located at One Churchill Place in London, England for CureEB and the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation. He was among other celebrities, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, helping raise money for various charities ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The annual Charity Day supports BGC Partners and it’s affiliated companies Cantor Fitzgerald and GFI Group and all profits made on trades today will go to charities including Blood Cancer UK, Help for Heroes, The Pret Foundation and Wellbeing for Women. In addition to BGC’s offices in London, Charity Day 2021 took place across the firm’s international offices including, New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Sydney.

To view more photos of the event, please visit our Gallery here. We will add more photos as they come in throughout the day. Please check back! In addition, Damian was a guest on today’s edition of Ian King Live for Sky News. See  three videos of the segment below, plus two additional videos from HvH Arts:

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Summertime

Damian Lewis Attends Summer Exhibition Festival for Sir HvH Arts Foundation

Lockdown Exodus and A Brave New World

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

Ambassador and now Patron Damian Lewis joined the Sir HvH Arts Foundation Summer Exhibition Festival production in London on Monday, August 30, 2021 for the ‘Lockdown Exodus’ exhibition that celebrated young people’s work in art, music and photography, and a performance by ‘A Brave New World’ visual arts theatre dance production by talented young artists. Throughout the day the project hosted taster workshops with their artists in residence in fashion deconstruction, tie-dye, screen printing, oils, acrylics on canvas, and photography. About a hundred community families gathered to see the musical performances, as well as art and photography produced by youth who had taken part in free sessions funded by donations and Camden Council. Up to 60 youngsters a day had been taking part in projects over the summer.

Ambassadors Sadie Frost and Michael Palin were also in attendance, who mentored young people for a film they made during lockdown called Isolation Stories. Students were also directed by the charity’s artists in residence, Selina Giles and Lily Alice Clark, and actor Peter Youngblood-Hills offered mentoring sessions.

The event was also held to remember former patron Helen McCrory. Debbi Clark, CEO and Founder of Sir HvH Arts Foundation has set up the “McCrory Award” in her honor, which will be dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and young people who are gifted in their art, yet many do not have access to the resources or training to fulfill their potential. According to Hampstead Highgate Express, Debbi Clark stated Helen would always be a patron of the charity and was still with them “in spirit.”

View more photos in our Gallery here.
For more information about Sir HvH Arts Foundation and how you can donate, please visit their website here
Primary Source: Camden New Journal
Secondary Source: Hampstead Highgate Express

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Categories Charity Football/Soccer Poll Print Media

The Ten Best Soccer Aid Moments

Zinedine Zidane Nutmegs Damian Lewis

by Joseph Dexter | Manchester Evening News | July 8, 2021

Zinedine Zidane playing the ball through Damian Lewis’ legs (Image: ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images)

Soccer Aid for UNICEF is back and will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with a host of famous faces taking to the pitch, all in the name of charity. Taking place at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on Saturday, September 4 England will be hoping to increase their gap over the Soccer Aid World XI FC with the record currently at 5-4.

This year Soccer Aid 2021 will be hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott and will feature a range of celebrities as well as former professional footballers. For the England team Wayne Rooney, Olly Murs, Kelly Smith, Gary Neville, Mark Wright, James Arthur and Paddy McGuinness will be taking part on the day. At the moment the Soccer Aid World XI FC includes many fan favourites, such as Usain Bolt, Patrice Evra, Roman Kemp, Roberto Carlos, Tom Grennan and Kem Cetinay.

Having raised more than £47 million to date for Unicef since it first began in 2006 there have been plenty of iconic moments. Whether it’s Zidane’s effortless skill or Sergio Pizzorno’s wonderful chipped goal we have rounded up the ten most iconic moments to celebrate Soccer Aid’s tenth birthday.

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Categories Charity Cricket Gallery Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Summertime

Results of Lord Mayor’s Appeal: Twenty20 Cricket Match

Team Axe Wins

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | July 4, 2021

Upfront left: William Russell. Upfront right: Damian Lewis. Back row behind Damian: Gareth Lewis

Today, Sunday, 4 July 2021, Lord Mayor’s Appeal held the charitable Twenty20 cricket match on the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company venue, with Damian’s brother William Russell serving as captain for his team, The Lord Mayor XI versus Damian serving as Captain for his team, The Bobby Axelrod XI. And it looks like Damian’s other brother Gareth Lewis played on the Bobby Axelrod XI team as well!

The winning team was The Bobby Axelrod XI, but really both teams win because the match was for charity! The Lord Mayor’s Appeal organization aims to find solutions to the most pressing societal issues in London and beyond with the strategy of working on four key pillars to create a City that is inclusive, healthy, skilled and fair.

For more information about the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, please visit their website here.
View more photos of the event in our Gallery here.

Categories Charity Helen Narrator Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Tributes

Damian Lewis Narrates Helen McCrory’s Speech for Graduates

UCS Hampstead as Sir HvH Arts Foundation Patron

Source: UCS Hampstead | Twitter | June 30, 2021
Source: Sir HvH Arts | Instagram | June 30, 2021

On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the University College School Hampstead’s graduation began proceedings by remembering Helen McCrory and her powerful message to pupils in 2018 with a narration of her speech by Damian today, speaking to the graduates remotely. UCS Hampstead supports Sir HvH Arts Foundation with their outreach, a foundation near and dear to Helen and now Damian is the Patron for Sir HvH Arts.  For more information about Helen’s UCS speech back in 2018, click here. In 2016, Damian and Helen attended an art exhibition showcasing UCS student’s artwork, chatting with them as well. Read more about that here.

Continue reading Damian Lewis Narrates Helen McCrory’s Speech for Graduates

Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Print Media

Damian Lewis: Patron of Ride4Hugo

Family Support: In Memory of Hugo Yaxley and Helen McCrory

by Staff | Ride4Hugo | June 15, 2021 *updated May 03, 2022

Ride4Hugo is in memory of Hugo Yaxley, Damian and Helen’s nephew, who tragically died in a car accident in November, 2020.

Hugo was a big advocate of facing up to mental health issues and changing the stigma attached to it. Ride4Hugo aims to raise funds and awareness for four great charities that were close to both his and Helen’s heart. His Aunt, Helen McCrory, passed away five months after Hugo’s accident.

Uncle Damian, as he was to Hugo, is Ride4Hugo’s patron. Best known for his performances on screen and stage, Damian has also contributed a huge amount of charity work. Most recently he and his late wife Helen McCrory helped raise over £1m for the FeedNHS campaign.

Damian recently reflected on Hugo, stating:

“The recurring theme talking to people about Hugo, is that, for one so young, he leaves an incredible legacy. He truly inspired people of his generation, through his own bravery, to be more confident and open about their mental health. This is an extraordinary thing to have achieved by the age of 20. He’s touched more people in his short life than most do in their longer ones. One great memory is of our family holiday in Mallorca when Hugo perfected and demonstrated (endlessly) the art of “bombing” in the swimming pool. Face down mostly. For ages afterwards, we called him Bomber Yaxley. He became many other fabulous things as he got older but that fearlessness never left him. And he used it to help others. Love you Hugo.”

Below is information about the upcoming bike ride campaigns, the bike routes, and the charities Ride4Hugo supports:

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Categories Charity Cricket Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Lord Mayor’s Appeal: Twenty20 Cricket Match

Brother Against Brother For a Good Cause

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | May 15, 2021

L to R: Brothers Damian Lewis, William Russell, and Gareth Lewis

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman William Russell is hosting a charity cricket match on Sunday, 4 July 2021 in aid of The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. Set within the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company and against the stunning backdrop of the historic Armoury House and buildings, this Twenty20 match will see the Lord Mayor’s 11 (captained by the Lord Mayor William Russell) go into bat against Bobby Axelrod’s 11 (captained by Damian Lewis).

Damian told Cricket World, “My brother and I have grown up together enjoying both playing and watching cricket and I think we are both looking forward to getting back out on the pitch, and raising some money for the charities. My team, Bobby Axelrod’s 11, are getting in their practice now so we will be ready and raring to go!”

10:30 am – Cricketers and spectators arrive
11:00 am – First innings – Lord Mayor’s 11 vs Bobby Axelrod’s 11
12:30 pm – Break
1:00 pm – Second innings – Lord Mayor’s 11 vs Bobby Axelrod’s 11
2:30 pm – BBQ lunch
4.00 pm – Finish

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit Lord Mayor’s Appeal website here.

Continue reading Lord Mayor’s Appeal: Twenty20 Cricket Match