Throwback Thursday to Ride4Hugo in Memory of Hugo and Helen

L-R: Damian, his sister Amanda Yaxley, his brother Gareth Lewis, and brother in-law Charles Yaxley during the bike ride in memory of Hugo and Helen in June 2022

I find it beyond impressive when families turn their tragic losses into good for many others in memory of the loved ones they lost. Ride4Hugo, a campaign Damian’s family run in memory of Hugo Yaxley, Damian and Helen’s nephew, who tragically died in a car accident in November 2020, and also in memory of Helen, who passed away only 5 months after Hugo’s accident, is an extraordinary effort aimed to do good for so many people.

Hugo, at his young age, was a fierce advocate of facing up to mental health issues and changing the stigma attached to it. And Ride4Hugo was set to raise funds and awareness for four great charities that were close to both his and Helen’s heart. Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Ride4Hugo in Memory of Hugo and Helen”

TOP Damian Lewis Moments 2022: Ride4Hugo Campaign in Memory of Hugo and Helen

L-R: Damian, his sister Amanda Yaxley, his brother Gareth Lewis, and brother in-law Charles Yaxley during the bike ride in memory of Hugo and Helen in June 2022

I find it beyond impressive when families turn their tragic losses into good for many others in memory of the loved ones they lost. Ride4Hugo, a campaign Damian’s family run in memory of Hugo Yaxley, Damian and Helen’s nephew, who tragically died in a car accident in November 2020, and also in memory of Helen, who passed away only 5 months after Hugo’s accident, is an extraordinary effort aimed to do good for so many people.

Hugo, at his young age, was a fierce advocate of facing up to mental health issues and changing the stigma attached to it. And Ride4Hugo was set to raise funds and awareness for four great charities that were close to both his and Helen’s heart. Continue reading “TOP Damian Lewis Moments 2022: Ride4Hugo Campaign in Memory of Hugo and Helen”

TOP Damian Lewis Moments 2020: Philanthropy

There is no question that the last nine months have been different than any other for everyone. And so, for Damian, too, there was no filming, no going out in London, no theatre, no Wimbledon, no summer festival or live concert. l. But the good news is that the pandemic did not stop him from being very good at doing good.

We talked about Damian and Helen’s finest moment during the pandemic, Feed NHS, earlier here.

But then Damian wore his charity hat multiple times throughout the year for different great causes. And I think if Damian’s generous heart does not make a top moment, what else does?

So let’s start!

Continue reading “TOP Damian Lewis Moments 2020: Philanthropy”

Top Damian Lewis Moments 2019: Lord Mayor of London is Damian’s Brother!

For our readers who do not know, Damian has three siblings – his older half-brother William Russell and half-sister Amanda (Russell) Yaxley from his mother Charlotte (Bowater) Lewis’s first marriage – and his younger brother Gareth Lewis. And what a talented bunch these siblings are! Amanda is a prominent and licensed counselor in Bristol, Gareth is a writer, producer and director, and William Anthony Bowater Russell was just elected as the 692nd Lord Mayor of London on October 1, 2019, taking office on November 9, 2019.

William Russell

William appears destined for his new position, as his maternal grandfather, Sir Ian Bowater, GBE, was Lord Mayor of London from 1969-1970 and his great-grandfather Sir Frank Bowater was Lord Mayor from 1938–1939.  Moreover, William has been working in the City for over 30 years in national and international banking and is a dedicated educational entrepreneur, the past chair and co-founder of the Knightsbridge School and its international arm KSI. He is on the board of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where his brother Damian attended and graduated from in 1993, and has served as governor at several schools in addition to his work on the City’s committees.

The Lord Mayor of London is chosen from the Aldermen and is the leader of the City of London Corporation. Elected for one-year terms, the Lord Mayor’s main role, both traditionally and in the modern world, is to represent, support and promote the businesses in the City of London to the world as a leader in trade, financial technology, innovation in areas like cybersecurity and green finance, and in culture, which William sees as vitally important to society.  The Lord Mayor of London is the international spokesperson for the City, leading business delegations overseas to key international markets on behalf of the entire UK-based financial sector. He will look to strengthen economic ties with the UK, identify new business opportunities and promote the UK as a top global destination for foreign investment.

What does all of this mean for Damian? Well it means the month of November proved extremely busy for Damian’s family, as it involved three major events related to William taking office as Lord Mayor of London. First up was the Lord Mayor’s Silent Ceremony, followed the next day by the Lord Mayor’s Show and closing out the month with the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

Let’s start with The Silent Ceremony.

Continue reading “Top Damian Lewis Moments 2019: Lord Mayor of London is Damian’s Brother!”