Categories Charity FeedNHS Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

FeedNHS Update – April 8, 2020

Thanks a Million!

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | original April 8, 2020 (updated April 24)

We reported earlier that Damian, Helen, and Matt Lucas had partnered with John Vincent of LEON Restaurants to feed NHS workers during the CoVid-19 crisis.

FeedNHS is campaigning to raise as much money as possible for NHS Trusts to get hot, healthy meals to NHS teams on the front line. They are starting their initiative with the hardest-hit London hospitals trusts Imperial, UCHL, Royal Free and St Barts, but they want to go further and take this nationwide.

And now, FeedNHS has become the fifth largest crowdfunding appeal on JustGiving raising over $1.1m (£1m). The campaign has reached more than 100% of the £1,000,000.00 target (£1,171,495). Initially providing 5,000-6,000 meals a day to hospital staff, FeedNHS now estimates it has the funds to serve up to 25,000 hot meals per day across 55 hospitals for the next six weeks, and looking to expand locations from London to Brighton, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester. Damian was quoted in Birmingham Live saying,

“But it means we can now kick in with a second round of funding – which is essentially what we are trying to do – in order to take it to Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester, because the virus will move through those city centres.”

In addition, The Press and Journal reported that FeedNHS has teamed up with Mealforce, BaxterStorey, Feed Our Frontline and charity NHS Helpforce to tackle the task in pledging to serve hospital sites in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. But they want to keep going, as more funding is needed to add an extra 15,000 meals a day and to extend provision beyond six weeks, providing 600,000 more meals. You can help feed NHS workers one hot, healthy meal a day here.

Continue reading FeedNHS Update – April 8, 2020

Categories Billions Charity FeedNHS Helen News Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Print Media Rookery Productions

Coping With CoVid-19 Crisis: Damian and Helen on Feeding Health Workers After Filming Halted – April 6, 2020

Helping Others: First Parking, Then Pizzas, Now FeedNHS.com

by Jake Kanter | Deadline | April 6, 2020

As coronavirus crashed through the TV business, husband and wife Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory were among those cast adrift. Lewis was making Season 5 of Billions, while McCrory was on the brink of going into production on Season 6 of Peaky Blinders. Now, both are holed up in their British countryside home in Suffolk. But far from quietly riding out the COVID-19 tsunami, the pair have leashed an anchor of sorts and are using their platform for a much-needed mission to feed frontline healthcare workers in the UK.

McCrory said she spent one-day doing hair and makeup and tests for Peaky Blinders, during which it dawned on much of the production team that “something very big is coming.” She explains: “The next morning I woke and told my producer I’m not comfortable doing this anymore… Cillian Murphy did the same. Together with the producers, we approached the BBC and said we’re going to pull this now before we have to do this down the line.” Production was halted on March 16, a mere three weeks ago. “That all seems like a very different world at the moment. Terribly unimportant,” McCrory reflects.

The couple turned to their friends in the National Health Service and asked where they could help. Their initial idea was to cover parking fines for the nurses and doctors who were getting caught out on long shifts, but the government soon moved to waive parking fees for health care workers. The next idea came from Bob Klaber, who works at the Imperial College Healthcare Trust in London. “He said the real problem is food,” recalls McCrory. With staff canteens in hospitals either not existing or shutting down, and nearby eateries closing amid the country-wide lockdown, some NHS employees were running on empty. Lewis and McCrory seized on Klaber’s idea and started getting pizzas delivered to intensive care units. The efforts were greeted by “lovely photos of smiling faces,” but it quickly became apparent that they needed something more sustainable — and nourishing — for those fighting coronavirus.

Continue reading Coping With CoVid-19 Crisis: Damian and Helen on Feeding Health Workers After Filming Halted – April 6, 2020

Categories Charity FeedNHS Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian and Helen on BBC Breakfast – March 30, 2020

FeedNHS Campaign Continues

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | March 30, 2020

Damian and Helen appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning, Monday, March 30, 2020 to continue to share their FeedNHS effort. They, along with Matt Lucas, have partnered with LEON Restaurants, plus many other restaurant chains, to help support the NHS by ensuring all critical care hospital staff get one hot meal a day. Right now FeedNHS plans to serve 6,000 hot meals a day and they are hoping to go Nationwide! Help get healthy hot food directly to the front line heroes by making your donation to LEON here or the crowdfunding Just Giving page here.The campaign has already earned 55% in donations of the £1,000,000 target. Watch them on BBC Breakfast below:

Categories Charity FeedNHS Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Video

Damian and Helen Launch FeedNHS on Good Morning Britain – Mar 27, 2020

Live From Suffolk In Their Jammies

Damian and Helen are doing everything they can to help while in quarantine like the rest of us. Damian, Helen, and Matt Lucas have partnered with LEON Restaurants, plus many other restaurant chains, to help support the NHS by ensuring all critical care hospital staff get one hot meal a day. Right now FeedNHS is serving 5,600 hot meals a day and they are hoping to go Nationwide! Help get healthy hot food directly to the front line heroes by making your donation to LEON here or the crowdfunding Just Giving page here, and watch their launch on Good Morning Britain below:

Here is the complete FeedNHS background story:

Continue reading Damian and Helen Launch FeedNHS on Good Morning Britain – Mar 27, 2020

Categories Charity Events Helen Philanthropy Poetry Readings Video

Damian and Helen Poetry Reading at Voices of London – Nov 26, 2019

A Night of Poems and Poets

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 26, 2019

Source: Twitter @AllieEsiri

An evening of poetry inspired by the great city of London was read by Damian, Helen, Mona Arishi, Theresa Lola, Yomi Sode and OnSide young poets in support of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal for Samaritans helpline, OnSide Youth Zones, and Place2Be, investing in youth and children’s mental health. The event was held at the Mansion House on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

View the rest of the photos from the event in our Gallery here

VIDEOS:

Continue reading Damian and Helen Poetry Reading at Voices of London – Nov 26, 2019

Categories Charity Gallery Helen Philanthropy

BGC/GFI Charity Day 2019 – Sept 11, 2019

On the Trading Floor for CureEB and Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 11, 2019

Damian makes trading look easy as he participates in the 15th annual BGC Charity Day 2019 on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in London, England for CureEB and the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation.

First up was GFI Charity Day where Damian hit the trading floor for CureEB. CureEB is passionate about medical research and clinical trials that will help lead to treatments and a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa, a severe genetic skin condition that leads to blistering and skin loss at the slightest friction. Children with the condition are often referred to as ‘Butterfly Children’ as their skin is said to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wings.

Continue reading BGC/GFI Charity Day 2019 – Sept 11, 2019

Categories Charity Events Philanthropy Print Media

Damian Scheduled for Annual BGC Charity Day – Sept 4, 2019

Charity 9/11 Fundraising Event

by Alice Scarsi | Daily Express | September 3, 2019

According to the Daily Express, Damian is scheduled to attend a charitable event to raise funds and pay tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terror attack with a host of A-listers including Prince Harry and Tom Hardy. If that’s the case, Damian will have a busy September 11, as he’s also scheduled to attend his Damian Lewis: Spy Wars advanced screening and Q&A that evening.

It will be the 18th anniversary of the devastating September 11 terror attacks in the US. The Duke of Sussex has also been confirmed among the guests of the BGC Charity Day 2019, an event organised by global brokerage and financial technology company BGC. The BGC event will take place at the trading floor at BGC Partners in Canary Wharf, London.

Other charity ambassadors attending include Tinie Tempah, Common, Tim Peake, Alan Carr, Harry Kane, Mauricio Pochettino, Eion Morgan, Frank Bruno, David Haye, Gabby Logan and Jamie Redknapp.

Shaun D. Lynn, President of BGC Partners, said the charitable event is taking place on September 11 to remember BGC’s 658 colleagues and the 61 Eurobrokers employees who died in the terror attacks.

Read the rest of the original article at Daily Express

Categories Britannia Award Charity Fashion and Style Football/Soccer Helen In Development/ Pre-Production Music Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Poll Run This Town Summertime Tennis

A Year in Review: Top Damian Lewis Moments of 2018 – Dec 31, 2018

Top Moments of 2018

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | December 31, 2018

Far left: Damian performing Singing in the Rain at Old Vic’s Bicentennial Ball

It’s been quite the year for Damian, from starring in two new films as he continues to play Bobby Axelrod on Billions to his charity work, love of football, and hitting the town with Helen. There are “Best of 2018” lists everywhere you look so why should we be any different?  So today, on the last day of the year, we revisit the memorable year Damian has had both personally, and professionally.

Below you will find links to the stories behind our Top Damian Lewis Moments of 2018:

  • Damian makes his fourth appearance at Soccer Aid
  • Damian receives BAFTA LA’s Britannia Award
  • Damian will play Steve McQueen in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Damian continues supporting the Cure EB initiative
  • Damian attends the UEFA Champions League and World Cup
  • Damian will play Toronto’s ex-Mayor Rob Ford in Run This Town
  • Damian and Helen, Hand-in-Hand: Old Vic’s Bicentennial Ball, Best Beginnings, London Fashion Week, Circus Arts Gala, BRIT Awards, Letters Live, The Prince’s Trust, Wimbledon, Rolling Stones concert, British Summertime Festival, Port Eliot Festival, Liquid Leisure Aqua Park, family vacation in Italy, Chessington World of Adventures, and BGC Charity Day

Happy New Year and we will see all you fandom next year!

Categories Charity Holiday Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Giving Tuesday – Nov 27, 2018

Cure EB: The Big Give Christmas Challenge

by Damianista | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | November 27, 2018

Today is Giving Tuesday! It is a a global day of giving we celebrate on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and kick off the charitable season! So it’s time to be thankful for all the good stuff in our lives and focus on our holiday giving.

Well, most of you know Damian Lewis is a proud patron of Cure EB.

Damian Lewis with Sohana and her mother Sharmila at BGC Charity Day 2014, source: Sohana Research Fund

Sohana Collins is a 15 year old teenager who was born with Recessive Dystropic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) which means she lacks the protein that holds her skin together. Kids with RDEB have extremely fragile skin that they are sometimes called “butterfly children.” Lots of activities we take for granted as easy routines in our daily lives are a struggle for them. Can you imagine a day where your dressing up takes up to two hours and eating and drinking cause blisters in your mouth and throat? These kids have to deal with this kind of pain every single day. Besides, they are under extra risk to develop skin cancer later in life and their life expectancy is not very long. Sohana’s parents Sharmila and James Collins founded Cure EB to raise awareness as well as funds for research to ultimately have a cure for this terrible skin condition.

Here is what Sohana says about EB.

Continue reading Giving Tuesday – Nov 27, 2018

Categories Charity Helen Magazine Personal and Family Life Photoshoots Print Media

Photographing the Famous – Oct 14, 2018

One Button Press, One Camera Shutter Click, and You Get This:

by Jemma Dodd | Olympus Magazine | Issue 59

Photo by: Debbi Clark

Debbi Clark has had work featured in Vogue, Homme, and Tatler, photographed the likes of Kate Moss and Damian Lewis and set up her own charity. We speak to the woman who’s capable of it all…

When did you become interested in photography?
It was when I was studying fashion and design at St. Martin’s College when I fell in love with photography. I used to photograph landscapes, capturing patterns in trees, flowers, grass picturing shapes, shadows and formations in clouds. I became so obsessed with how fascinating it was playing with light that I wanted to learn the technical side to really bring my images to life. I then went on to LCP and studied photography and printing. My first camera was the Olympus PEN-F 35mm film camera, which I still love and use.

You’ve photographed the likes of Kate Moss, Paul Weller and Damian Lewis. How did your journey into photographing such big names begin?
As a photographer, I love taking portraits. I have been extremely fortunate to have photographed some of the most iconic people in the world, including Kate Moss, Paul Weller, Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory, which began when I founded Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation, a charity that I am CEO of. The charity supports young people by inspiring them in the arts, giving them lifelong skills that they can develop their artistic passions through. I work with many models, actors and singers on commissions, and because I work with them as a professional photographer, I was able to approach many of my artists to ask if they would let me take their portrait and exhibit each year to fundraise for Sir HVH Arts Foundation, supporting my passion in the arts and passing it on to young people to encourage and nurture through the arts.

Of all the people you’ve photographed, what was your most memorable shoot?
I have many memories and stories as each time I take a portrait there is always something that happens to make that portrait so special. I do remember the time when Helen McCrory phoned me and said, “Damian is shaving off the tash, beard and sideburns today.” Being such a passionate advocate and patron of Sir HVH Arts Foundation, Helen McCrory managed to weave her magic, and off I went to take a portrait of Damian Lewis dressed in a blue denim shirt, with his amazing mop of flame colored hair, tash and sideburns. I remember thinking at the time that the ‘Brut 33’ 70’s style clashed with the blue denim, ginger hair and green glass as I stood above Damian shooting directly down from above – what a color contrast. We shot this image within a 30-minute window – as I rushed out to meet Damian at Swiss Cottage on the grass banks of the sports centre, the skies were clouding over and the rain was imminent. I had my Olympus PEN-F and 45mm lens attached and my LEDGO travel light held high above to fill in as daylight for the lack of light as the clouds were darkening up ready to let go. We managed to shoot two fantastic final images and Damian, Helen and I chose this featured photo as the firm favorite.

Continue reading Photographing the Famous – Oct 14, 2018

Categories Charity Gallery Helen Philanthropy

GFI/BGC Charity Day 2018 – Sept 11, 2018

On the Trading Floor for CureEB and Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 11, 2018

Damian makes trading look easy as he participates in the 14th annual GFI/BGC Charity Day 2018 on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 in London for CureEB and the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation. He stated,

“Axe is gonna bring some insider info to the floor to really crank those trades.”

First up was GFI Charity Day where Damian hit the trading floor for CureEB. CureEB is passionate about medical research and clinical trials that will help lead to treatments and a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa, a severe genetic skin condition that leads to blistering and skin loss at the slightest friction. Children with the condition are often referred to as ‘Butterfly Children’ as their skin is said to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. To learn more about the CureEB Butterfly Run on September 30, click here.

Next up was BGC Charity Day where both Damian and Helen wowed the brokers for Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation, a foundation dedicated to ensuring that every child is given a chance to connect with and express their inner artist in a time when funding for the arts are squeezed out of the mainstream curriculum.

Here are a couple of videos of today’s event:

Continue reading GFI/BGC Charity Day 2018 – Sept 11, 2018

Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian and Helen will Join This Year’s GFI Charity Day – Sep 1, 2018

On the Trading Floor Again for a Good Cause

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 1, 2018

Damian will be joining the trading floor for this year’s GFI Charity Day 2018 in support of and to raise funds for Cure EB. Epidermolysis Bullosa is a genetic skin blistering condition that affects over 500,000 people around the world. It has a devastating impact on sufferers and their families. It is unrelenting in its pain and the distress it causes. Because EB is considered a rare condition, it does not attract government funding. Cure EB.org has a chance to make a difference to an incredibly painful, disfiguring and ultimately fatal condition.

Charity Day 2018 will take place on Tuesday, September 11 at GFI’s offices in New York City.

But that’s not all. Guess who will also be there?

Continue reading Damian and Helen will Join This Year’s GFI Charity Day – Sep 1, 2018