Category: Charity

Categories Personal and Family Life Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation Uncategorized

Manon McCrory Becomes Youth Ambassador for Sir HvH Arts

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Honoring Her Mother’s Legacy

Juliet Conway | October 28, 2025 | Daily Mail

Manon with her father Damian Lewis and brother Gully McCrory-Lewis at Burberry Show, London Fashion Week early this year

It’s been four years since the death of Peaky Blinders and Harry Potter star Helen McCrory.

Now, her daughter, Manon, 19, has spoken publicly for the first time about the beloved late star – and the deeply moving way she is keeping her memory alive.

Manon, whose father is Homeland star Damian Lewis, 54, has revealed she has taken her mother’s surname to honour her legacy and is following in her philanthropic footsteps

The London-born art student has become a youth ambassador for the Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation (HVH), which was incredibly close to her mother’s heart.

Helen, who died from breast cancer aged 52 in April 2021 after keeping the diagnosis secret from the public, was a patron since its inception in 2013.

The charity, run by photographer Debbi Clark, provides free art education and creative opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds.

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Categories Charity Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders Auction of Original Costumes Raises £19k for Cancer Charity

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Polly’s Coat Sold In Auction For Manchester Hospital

By Mathilde Grandjean | The Independent | May 23, 2025

An auction of original costumes from BBC TV series Peaky Blinders, including a suit worn by actor Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in the show’s final scenes, has raised £19,000 for charity.

The 48-year-old Irish actor wore the period-style grey three-piece suit in the final episode of the sixth series.

The suit, which came with a handwritten note on a piece of script found in a pocket which says: “takes off ring”, sold for £1,650.

The highest price of £3,000 was fetched by a three-piece woolen suit, also worn by Murphy as Tommy Shelby, which comes with a label reading “Tommy suit C”.

Aunt Polly’s tailored coat with stitched patterns from Series 3 Episode 4 was sold in the auction

A hat worn by Sam Claflin, who played fascist MP Oswald Mosley during series five and six, sold for £180, and a coat worn by the late Helen McCrory as Shelby family matriarch Polly Gray in episode four of series three sold for £650.

Continue reading Peaky Blinders Auction of Original Costumes Raises £19k for Cancer Charity

Categories Charity Damian Lewis Personal and Family Life Print Media Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation

9/11 trading day helps to continue Helen McCrory’s legacy, says charity founder

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BGC Charity Day

By Ellie Iorizzo | The Evening Standard | September 29, 2022

Since its launch in 2004, BGC and its celebrity ambassadors have raised around 192 million dollars (£176 million) for global charitable causes.

Damian Lewis during the BGC annual charity day at Canary Wharf in London (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)Damian Lewis during the BGC annual charity day at Canary Wharf in London (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) / PA Wire

Peaky Blinders star 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.”

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Categories Damian Lewis Personal and Family Life Print Media Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation Tributes

Thousands raised in memory of ‘inspiring’ brother and his aunt, Helen McCrory

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

Lily Ford | July 21, 2022 |  Evening Standard

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 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.

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Categories Charity Damian Lewis Events Personal and Family Life Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation

Launch of the McCrory Award at Private Exhibit

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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 and Harry Treadaway, 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 recipients. 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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