THE FORCE was with Redditch on Saturday as people came from across the country, overseas and from a galaxy far far away for the Star Wars-themed Echo Base Live at the Kingfisher Centre.
More than 180 tables of toys and collectibles offered everything from lightsabers to action figures and a huge charity raffle raised £2,448 for Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University to continue helping young people in deprived areas.
Since the Echo Base collecting group first introduced fund-raising in 2015 it has generated over £100,000 for good causes with a member of the admin team choosing a charity important to them each year.
Nine guests who featured in the iconic films joined the force-filled fun for autographs for fees.
Among them were Dermot Crowley, who played General Madine in Return of the Jedi before appearing in Father Ted, The Bill, Midsomer Murders and Luther, plus The Empire Strikes Back AT-AT driver Paul Jerricho.
Chris Bunn, who played Danz Borin and a Stormtrooper in the original trilogy, was also there and Cosplayers turned out in full force with Stormtroopers, rebels and even the Sith lord Darth Vader roaming through the shopping centre.
Organisers have already announced Echo Base Live episode 12 will be coming to the Kingfisher next year.
