Monday, June 25, 2018

Visiting Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (2018)


May 25, 2018: 

When news of this visit first came out I decided not to post it because it seemed like a *secret* event but Tom Hiddleston spoke very openly about it in the panel at ACE Comic Con so here it goes... 

Tom Hiddleston used his down time to host a screening of Avengers: Infinity War at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London for children in the hospital and those attending the Chelsea Community Hospital School.  As a part of their 10th anniversary celebrations, Marvel has committed to donate more than $1 million to the Make-A-Wish and Starlight Children Foundations, along with donating hero boxes of Marvel toys and signed memorabilia all over the world.



Tom talks about the visit during the panel at ACE Comic Con (49:30): I went to a hospital in London recently.. they screened Infinity War for the children who were in hospital and hadn't been able to see it. And at the end I handed out all of these toys. But it was the funniest Q&A, a thirty minute Q&A which consisted of questions solely about facial hair.   Additionally, $12,000 was raised from ticket sales at ACE for the Save the Children Foundation.


Some posts from those who were there: 

love_alexa1Thank you @twhiddleston for visiting Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. It was so considerate of you to talk with us, especially those who are on the wards. Thank you for answering our questions about #avengersinfinitywar and #beards ðŸ˜‚





Health issues, specifically children's health, is becoming a focus of Tom Hiddleston's charity work. Tom also visited Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Australia while filming Thor: Ragnarok.



During the Avengers: Infinity War Event in London, Tom took time to meet with children from the Starlight UK Children's Foundation. 


Tom also sent a message to anyone impacted by cancer at the Avengers: Infinity War premiere in LA. 



Tom was one of the many Marvel celebrities who had their drawings auctioned off on Charity Buzz which raised $67,937 for the Starlight Children's Foundation. 



And less than two weeks ago, Tom attended at reception at Buckingham Palace for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Trust


In December 2018, Tom Hiddleston visited the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. GOSH is the UK's leading Children's hospital and has the widest ranges of specialties in the country. Tom happily posed with the nursing staff and patients during his visit. 











More about the Chelsea Community Hospital School:
Chelsea Community Hospital School is a Community Special School providing education for children and young people aged 4–18 while they are in hospital.
The school also provides places for a number of students who cannot access mainstream school due to their medical conditions and aims to ensure that children and young people have their rights to education preserved while in hospital.


Friday, June 22, 2018

ACE Comic Con: Seattle (2018)



June 22-24, 2018: 


Tom Hiddleston attended ACE Comic Con in Seattle along with other Marvel stars Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Hayley Atwell. 

Here is an advertisement for the event: 



Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth were also originally scheduled to appear but unfortunately had to drop out. Due to that Tom Hiddleston added an extra day (Friday) to accommodate fans. Here is a look at his ACE schedule - it is absolutely packed! VIP Tom packages sold for $551 and photo-ops/autographs were $200 each. 



Day One (Friday):

Friday was a "short" day with only five items on the schedule. The day got off to a slow start with the first photo session starting 30 minutes late. Tom ended up staying two hours after closing to finish up all the photo ops and autograph sessions.  The first look at Tom Hiddleston came courtesy of n0namae


I love reading everyone's stories from meeting Tom. It seems like he took time to make a personal connection with every single fan at the event even though it was incredibly busy. Here are some of the highlights from Day One: 

Tom meeting Cas (arrowcycle) who helps raise awareness and create costumes for people in wheelchairs.

My favorite Tom story so far came from Joey_Shadows67:  
“You can breathe. You’re alright. Keep on going. It’s all you, not me.”


- T. Hiddleston

Day one of Ace comic con in Seattle. Such an amazing time with amazing people. Got to meet Tom Hiddleston, which was probably the greatest moment of my life. When it was my turn to have my photo taken, I was having a bit of a panic attack. When he asked how I was, I tried to tell him “I'm fine” and the words that came out of my mouth were, “I don't think I can breathe.” He pulled my into his side, tucking me under his arm rather protectively, and told me, “You can breathe, you can breathe, you're alright." I have never felt more reassured and safe in my life.

And when I went to go get his autograph later, I gave him this big spiel about how he has inspired me so much as a human being as well as an actor and I told him about my panic attack and how him telling me to breathe calmed me down. He told me to keep on going, and that it was all me, and not him. He was so kind and so gentle and so sweet and just UUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH



A beautiful post from CherrisBombsToday called me an inspiration to him. He said I was amazing and that I can keep going. He also said I look fantastic but, he just so kind. I am blown away a short total of 5 minutes of talking changed my entire life. Thank you so much, Tom. You mean the world to me


Tom posing with Meryl, the cosplay service dog!


A photo posted by kristafeather6 years in the making - I met the man that introduced me to my love of Shakespeare. We talked Shakespeare. We talked Shakespeare in the classroom. We talked British theatre. We talked so much his security had to shoo us away (twice!). As we walked away, he called back - “Wait! What was your name?” And then when I came back to get his autograph, he remembered me. He is a dream, a gentleman, and a legend; “For nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility...” (Henry V, St Crispins Day Speech) 

A photo posted by marrae13

A photo posted by Okameu. 

A photo posted by iamqueenfal.

A photo posted by _ismybones

A photo posted by proudhiddleston

Tartofpop has my favorite picture taken all weekend: Loki Skywalker


Day Two (Saturday): 

Tom Hiddleston had a very busy second day at ACE Comic Con with SIXTEEN different photo-op and autograph sessions scheduled.


A beautiful Day 2 story from the Capes and Crowns Foundation (A non-profit making imaginations come alive through the power of photography for children with life-altering circumstances.):

No words for and how amazing it has been for one of our kiddos, Mac! The staff, vendors, and con goers have all treated Mac like the superhero that he is! And the weekend still isn’t over! ❤️ Thank you for putting a smile on his face, Ace!

Another staff member at ACE met the boy and had this to say:  I was working at the Ace Comicon today. I met a boy very sick w cancer who met you. I had to tell you how wonderful you were. He was so happy you PICKED him up and he was so proud to stand w you and not be in his bed, that family was happy you are a real superhero!


There were a lot of great Loki cosplayers on Day 2: Kamiki77thejennybot, jusmischief, indyphenom2



Mich2k is winning father/husband of the year for bringing his family to meet Tom.

I don't think this doggy was as happy to meet Tom as every one else, posted by headxcold.

A post by el_muchacho831Me and my family with @twhiddleston and my daughter was so excited to meet Loki she cried

A real life Catholic Priest stopped by, FatherGuillermo


Charlie's Angels! A photo posted by caustic_starfishie


In addition to solo sessions, Tom Hiddleston was also included in a group VIP and photo ops with fellow Avengers Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, and Anthony Mackie. 


A great photo posted by totestomholland

When Spider-Man met Spider-Man. A photo by CosplayAgainstBullying dedicated to raising awareness for the psychological effects of bullying. 

The Avengers Meet Buddy Cop Movie - a photo by RuchGupt

Doctor Strange and Black Widow joined the party. (I can't find the original source for this picture, if this is yours or you know whose it is let me know so I can credit them)

Tom signing autographs, he looks just as excited to meet the fans as they are to meet him. Photo from Ace Comic Con. 

The Tom Hs had some free time in the photo booth. Posted by Ace Comic Con


Day Three (Sunday):  


On the final day of the Con Tom Hiddleston had nine photo op sessions, four autograph sessions, and closed out the event with a solo Conversation with Tom Hiddleston panel.

The first look at Tom on Day Three came courtesy of CassidyR who said it was a dream come true. 


An awesome cosplay by AutumnFallen

Group photos with Tom Hiddleston, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, and Anthony Mackie: barnxs, tvaddictgurl


Group photos with Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, and Elizabeth Olsen: n_s_31394, khatdeg, bryan_zavodsky





The Avengers posing with the Avengers of Bullying, an childhood antibullying organization. You can read more on their story here. From Sebastian Stan
Love these superheroes! Thank you for being YOU. Keep being you and don’t listen to anybody who tells you otherwise



Tom also spent time signing many collectibles which should be hitting ebay soon for people that couldn't attend. Here he is with Twin Cities Comics



Tom closed out the day with our hour long Panel. He starts off with a special message to his fans. Tom also talks about Loki/Marvel, the directors he has worked with (Kenneth Branagh, the Russos, Susanne Bier, Steven Spielberg, Taika Waititi etc), and his other projects. Tom Holland joins the panel halfway through. Some interesting things I learned: The actor who played Ebony Maw in Infinity War (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) was Tom Hiddleston's mentor at RADA so that brings things very much full circle for him, and Tom talked about his secret visit to a children's hospital in London where they showed a special screening of Infinity War. Also, Tom Holland said they both watched the England World Cup match this morning in their pajamas!





$1 from every ticket sold at ACE Comic Con went to Save the Children and the event raised $12,000


Final ACE Story from Day Three: toddanderin And here’s why I love this man: I explained how much Caitlin wanted a picture with him, and that she’s back in the hospital with another infection. This girl worships Tom. I said, “The only way I can get a picture of you two together is like this.” He said, “Of course, that’s lovely,” in his British way. He asked if I’d like to be in the photo too and I burst into laughter. “Are you nuts? I horn in on Caitlin’s picture with you and she’ll rise from her hospital bed to murder me!” Tom has a wonderful laugh and a huge and generous heart. Thank you thank you for giving this little girl her greatest wish.
. … I just sent the photo to her mother and she instantly started crying. Caitlin’s sleeping 20 hours a day- she woke her up to see the photo and Cait screamed like a banshee. 🎉🎉🎉. 

Also, $1 from every ticket sold at ACE Comic Con went to Save the Children. Right before 

Fashion: 

Friday/Saturday - Tom Hiddleston wore the Ralph Lauren button up he debuted during Infinity War press in London. On Sunday, Tom wore his John Smedley sweater ($250). It's difficult for me to tell based on the pictures but he is mostly likely wearing his J Brand jeans ($270) all three days. along with his Mykita glasses and Kurt Geiger Frederick boots from #RADAHamlet.



A lot of fans at the Comic Con commented on how good Tom smells and wanted to know what cologne he wears. Tom Hiddleston currently uses Armani Prive Oud Royal


_________________________________________


As some of you may know - I started chemotherapy in March so my doctors wouldn't allow me to travel to Seattle for ACE Comic Con. Thank you so much to the people at ACE and their autograph room sponsors, The Comic Monster, for providing us with some new items to use in our next fundraiser/raffle. They also had everything authenticated so there is no confusion. The rest is silence is Hamlet's last line in the play. I will share the full story of why we chose that and also the story behind the signings when we announce the next fundraiser so watch this space






Also, if you are interested the Comic Monster has other signed memorabilia from Tom Hiddleston, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Hayley Atwell, and more available on their website.  

Credits: