Categories Awards Charity Gallery Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Hosted the Annual McCrory Award in Private Exhibit

The McCrory Award Campaign 2024

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | March 26, 2024

Damian hosted a private viewing of the “DoNotDisturb” art exhibit on March 26, 2024 at the Alon Zakaim Fine Arts gallery in London, showcasing exclusive photography pieces and black and white sketches of Helen McCrory and other celebrities to support the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Foundation and to honor The McCrory Award.

Funds raised from the charity event will sponsor three young HvH Arts Foundation artistic beneficiaries who will be bestowed The McCrory Award mentorship. The inaugural event launched back on June 15, 2022.

Debbi Clark, photographer and CEO/Founder of HvH Arts Foundation, and Sadie Frost also co-hosted the occasion, with a visit from the Mayor of Camden. The event was curated by stylist Marcella Martinelli. Others in attendance at tonight’s private exhibit were Damian and Helen’s children Manon and Gulliver.

Images of Helen, Damian, Cillian Murphy, Jude Law, Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne, Billie Piper, James Purefoy, Andrew Scott, and many more were donated in support of the private viewing and some images were launched via the online catalogue to browse for purchase through donation and pledge to support the charity.

The pieces were donated by professional photographers Debbi Clark, Ray Burmiston, David Venni, Clive Arrowsmith, Ian Derry, Charlie Gray, Lorenzo Agius, Tony Vaccaro, John “Rankin” Waddell , Ram Shergill, Terry O’Neill, plus black and white sketches from artist Nina Mae Fowler.

The foundation – which Helen was the former Patron of and is now patroned by Damian – gives access to free art and media workshops for disadvantaged children “…so they can express their inner artist” and flourish.  This includes, but not limited to, photography, film making, sculpting, cooking, music production and song writing, drama, poetry, dance, crochet, fine art/painting, graffiti street art and much more. View more images from the event in our Gallery here.

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Categories Awards Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis To Host Annual McCrory Award in Private Exhibit

The McCrory Award Campaign 2024

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | December 5, 2023

Damian is scheduled to host a private viewing of the “DoNotDisturb” art exhibit on March 26, 2024 at the Alon Zakaim Fine Arts gallery in London, showcasing exclusive photography pieces and black and white sketches of Helen McCrory to support the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Foundation and to honor The McCrory Award. Funds raised from the charity event will sponsor 3 young HvH Arts Foundation artistic beneficiaries who will be bestowed The McCrory Award mentorship. Sadie Frost will also co-host the occasion. More than likely there will be an online catalogue to browse for purchase through donation, typically via a prize draw and pledge to support the charity.  The inaugural event launched back on June 15, 2022.

The foundation – which Helen was the former Patron of and is now patroned by Damian – gives access to free art and media workshops for disadvantaged children “…so they can express their inner artist” and flourish. Like last year, we anticipate featured photographs will be donated by additional celebrities, all who have posed for Helen’s friend Debbi Clark, photographer and CEO/Founder of HvH Arts Foundation. To explore more about Debbi Clark Photography click here and here.

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Categories Charity Gallery Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Supports BGC Charity Day 2023

On the Trading Floor for Cure EB and HvH Arts Foundation

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 11, 2023

Damian makes trading look easy as he participates in the annual BGC Charity Day 2023 on Monday, September 11, 2023 at Canary Wharf located at One Churchill Place in London, England for CureEB (alongside founder Sharmila Collins) and Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation (alongside Ambassador Sadie Frost and CEO Debbi Clark). He was among other celebrities helping raise money for various charities for the 22nd 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 from trades today will go to hundreds of charities across the globe. In addition to BGC’s offices in London, Charity Day 2023 took place across the firm’s international offices including, New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Sydney. View more photos from the event in our Gallery.

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Categories Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis To Support BGC Charity Day 2023

Time to Make Some Calls for Charity Day

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 6, 2022

HvH Arts Foundation announced on social media today that their Patron Damian Lewis will be back on the trading floor this year to support their charity at BGC Charity Day 2023 with Ambassador Sadie Frost and CEO Debbi Clark. Damian will also raise funds for CureEB as Patron of that charity, alongside founder Sharmila Collins. He is scheduled to participate in the 19th annual BGC Charity Day on Monday, September 11, 2023 at Canary Wharf located at One Churchill Place in London, England.

Damian raises money for two local organizations: The HvH Arts Foundation, a foundation near to Helen McCrory’s heart, provides free courses designed to deliver a route through the often prohibitive costs that comes with studying the arts for young people, as well as free after-school, weekend, and holiday tuition for vulnerable children and youth. Donations support their summer holiday programs which provides art, music, photography, film, sculpture, illustration, dance and drama workshops every day during summer break, and helps develop their Music Mentoring Project that supports young gifted and talented musicians with resources associated with live band or music studio. CureEB is an organization that supports those affected by 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.

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Categories CBE Charity Events FeedNHS Gallery Helen Honors Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Receives CBE at Investiture Ceremony

FeedNHS: Sharing Honor With Helen

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | December 14, 2022

Damian was honored with Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to drama and charity on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Windsor Castle, which was bestowed upon him by King Charles III. His daughter Manon and son Gulliver attended their father’s ceremony, as well as Helen’s parents Iain and Anne. And did you notice Damian wore his purple socks? 🙂

The recognition was previously announced during the Queen’s Birthday Honours in anticipation of her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and published in the official public record of The Gazette. Damian has quietly carried out philanthropic work for several charities over many years, some of it with the late Helen McCrory. Beginning in 2020, he and Helen helped raise over £1.2 million for the FeedNHS campaign, a coalition charity helping feed NHS staff and frontline workers during the CoVid-19 pandemic, which allowed over 40,000 meals a day to be served to 100 hospitals.

The Royal recognition comes after Damian was awarded an OBE by The Duke of Cambridge Prince William at Buckingham Palace in 2014 for contributions to drama. In addition to CureEB, he is an Ambassador and Patron for a number of organizations, including youth charities Sir HvH Arts Foundation for The McCrory Award and The Prince’s Trust.

View more photos in our Gallery here.

An Investiture is the very special day when someone who has been awarded an honour receives their award in person from a Member of the Royal Family. The investee visits a Royal residence with members of their family to receive their insignia.

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Continuing Helen McCrory’s Legacy Through Charitable Work

What BGC Charity Day Means For The McCrory Award 

by Ellie Iorizzo | Evening Standard | September 30, 2022

Helen McCrory’s legacy is maintained through the charity she helped to establish before her death which benefits massively from the 9/11 trading day, the charity’s founder has said. Film and stage star Damian Lewis, 51, returned to the BGC Partners brokerage firm in Canary Wharf on Thursday to support the Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation (HvH Arts) – for which his late wife McCrory was patron. Lewis, who was also supporting the charity Cure EB, told the PA news agency:

“I love the idea of trading, I would be terrible at it in real life. These guys are honestly on the edge all the time … fingers hovering over buttons ready to make the trade but they are all brilliant. This day is obviously special after what happened on 9/11 and it’s a brilliant initiative. I am glad to come back. If I am in town I always do this day, I really enjoy it and I do it for HVH Arts, which is a brilliant little charity that Debbi runs and Cure EB, two very different things we’re trying to help out and very happy to be here. Helen was patron and I have taken over as patron because I wanted to continue to help.”

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Categories Charity Gallery Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Supports BGC Charity Day 2022

On the Trading Floor for Cure EB and HvH Arts Foundation

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 29, 2022

Damian makes trading look easy as he participates in the 18th annual BGC Charity Day 2022 on Thursday, September 29, 2022 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 helping raise money for various charities for the 21st 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 hundreds of charities across the globe. In addition to BGC’s offices in London, Charity Day 2022 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 so please check back! More about the charities:

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Categories Charity Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis To Support BGC Charity Day 2022

Time to Make Some Calls

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | August 31, 2022

UPDATE: Due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the 10-day mourning period in the UK, this event was rescheduled for Thursday, September 29, 2022.

HvH Arts Foundation announced today on Instagram that their Patron Damian Lewis and Ambassador Sadie Frost will be back on the trading floor this year to support their charity at BGC Charity Day 2022. And Damian will also raise funds for CureEB as Patron of that charity. He is scheduled to participate in the 18th annual BGC Charity Day on Monday, September 12, 2022 at Canary Wharf located at One Churchill Place in London, England.

Damian raises money for two local organizations – CureEB which supports those affected by 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. And the HvH Arts Foundation, a foundation near to Helen McCrory’s heart that is dedicated to ensuring 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.

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Categories Charity Helen Philanthropy Poll Print Media

Vote for Damian Lewis as Celebrity Hero of 2022

Best of British

by James Murray | Daily Express | August 11, 2022

We invite you to vote for the Daily Express Celebrity Hero of 2022, one of the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons. From a shortlist of ten, you can select the famous person from the worlds of show businesses, sport and politics who you believe has demonstrated “Best of British” qualities in the last 12 months to either triumph over adversity or help others in a truly significant way. The top four and winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter Rachel Burden and Falklands War hero Simon Weston on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Vote here now.

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Print Media Tributes

Thousands Raised in Memory of ‘Inspiring’ Brother and His Aunt, Helen McCrory

Riding all the Way from London to Madrid  for Hugo and Helen

by Lily Ford | Evening Standard | July 21, 2022

An Army officer has raised thousands of pounds for charity by cycling 2,100 kilometres from London to Madrid in memory of his “inspiring” brother and his aunt, actress Helen McCrory. Tom Yaxley, 32, is the brother of Hugo Yaxley and nephew of Damian, as well as McCrory, who died from cancer in April 2021 aged 52.

Mr. Yaxley has embarked on the cycle across Europe for Ride4Hugo, a series of fundraising events organised by friends and family which have earned more than £115,000 for four charities. Through tough gruelling climbs, injury, pain, heat, traffic and SHEEP! Nothing stopped him.

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View photos of the bike challenge in our Gallery here

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Categories Awards Charity Gallery Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Presented The McCrory Award in Private Exhibit

Inaugural Launch of Mentor Charity: The McCrory Award

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | June 15, 2022

Today, June 15, 2022, invitation-only attendees gathered for a private viewing of an art exhibit showcasing exclusive photography pieces of Helen McCrory to support the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Foundation and to honor The McCrory Award. The foundation – which Helen was the former Patron of and is now patroned by Damian – gives access to free art and media workshops for disadvantaged children “…so they can express their inner artist” and flourish. Other featured photographs that were donated by friends include Fay Ripley, Mark Strong, Eddie Redmayne, Helen Bonham Carter, Sienna Miller, Jude Law, Sadie Frost, Billie Piper, James Purefoy, Harriet Walter, Harry Treadaway, Stephen Mangan and Andrew Scott, all who posed for Debbi Clark, photographer and CEO/Founder of HvH Arts Foundation.

The McCrory Award was announced that evening, with Damian presenting the award to three young HvH Arts Foundation artistic beneficiaries. The foundation is dedicated to supporting children and young people who are gifted in their art, yet many do not have access to resources, training or support to fulfill their dream. The McCrory Award and charitable mentorship will make their dreams become a reality. Helen always believed every child should have equal opportunities and accessibility to the arts.

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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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