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 Peaky Blinders Print Media

Peaky Blinders VR video game to “honour” Helen McCrory

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Honoring Helen

by Aimee Ferrier | Far Away | September 26, 2022

Helen McCrory, who played the enigmatic Aunt Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders, passed away after battling cancer at just 52 years old last April. The actress was due to star in the sixth season of the revered show, as well as lend her voice to the VR game Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom.

Since McCrory’s passing, the show’s writers made the decision to have Polly die too. A few months ago, creator Steven Knight shared that “She is still a very strong influence on Tommy, and therefore the whole thing. Her death is a catalyst for a lot of stuff that happens, all the way up to the end of episode six.”

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.

Continue reading Thousands raised in memory of ‘inspiring’ brother and his aunt, Helen McCrory
Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media

‘Peaky Blinders’ EP Caryn Mandabach on How Tommy – and Aunt Polly – Got the Series Finale They Deserved

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Farewell to Aunt Polly

Emily Vogel | The Wrap | July 14, 2022

Despite “Peaky Blinders” being centered on a gang in the 1900s with razor blades sewed into their caps, it’s the women – both on and off the screen – who are the sharpest of the bunch. Leading the pack is executive producer Caryn Mandabach, whose company Caryn Mandabach Productions owns and operates the Peaky Blinders IP. “I’m the studio, as we would say in America…. Pretend I’m Sony” she told WrapWomen during a recent Zoom interview.

But being the boss is a double-edged razor. On one end, Mandabach gets to oversee exciting projects like partnering with Bushmills Irish Whiskey on a special Peaky Blinders recipe. On the other, Mandabach must always keep her business cap on – no matter how tough the situation.

Continue reading ‘Peaky Blinders’ EP Caryn Mandabach on How Tommy – and Aunt Polly – Got the Series Finale They Deserved

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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