THE FORCE was strong in Redditch on Saturday when the Star Wars-themed Echo Base Live event arrived for its latest fly-in visit.
Cosplayers ranging from Ahsoka Tano and Boba Fett to Darth Vader roamed the shopping centre, looking at the tables packed full of collectibles.
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Ethan (10) dresses as Darth Vader. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR10 copyright Bullivant Media
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Twins Charlie and Jamie Harris (10) meet the characters. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR12 copyright Bullivant Media
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Tano Windu and Ahsoka Tano. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR6 copyright Bullivant Media
Since the Echo Base collecting group first introduced fund-raising in 2015 it has generated more than £100,000 for good causes.
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watch out, watch out there’s a stormtrooper about. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR13 copyright Bullivant Media
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Characters have a walk around the stands. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR5 copyright Bullivant Media
A member of the admin team chooses a charity important to them each year – this time a record £3,319 was raised for Lichfield charity Friends 2 Friends, which supports adults with learning disabilities, other vulnerable adults and their carers.
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Twins Charlie and Jamie Harris (10) get ready for war. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR7 copyright Bullivant Media
Guests from a Galaxy Far Far Away joined in the force-filled fun, signing autographs for fees.
Among them was Kenneth Colley, who played Admiral Piett in the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and Spencer Wilding who was in the Darth Vader suit to perform the famous hallway action scene at the end of Rogue One.
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Darth Vader actor Spencer Wilding with Josh Ashton and Steve Elliott. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR3 copyright Bullivant Media
Guy Henry, also present, provided the physical and vocal performance for Grand Moff Tarkin so CGI effects could be used to recreate the likeness of the late Peter Cushing.
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Josh Ashton meets the stars. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0623006MMR9 copyright Bullivant Media
A mega raffle raised £2,562 for the charity, while former Palitoy chief designer Bob Brechin and marketing manager Geoff Maisey gave a presentation on the toy company, answered questions and signed autographs.
Visit justgiving.com/page/echo-base-uk-2023 to donate to Friends 2 Friends.
