It's that time of the year again when Star Wars fandom ramps up a notch. But on a cold morning at Kingston Park, meet the Star Wars fans using their force-like powers to raise money for charity.
Formed in 2010 the fan group known as the 99th Garrison, was created to help members meet new people, make new friends and to help raise some money for charity whilst doing what they enjoy doing, dressing up as Star Wars characters.
While the group may have been formed back in 2010, regional officer of the 99th Garrison Nigel Jukes has been doing this for the past 10 years before joining the Garrison. But a lot has changed since the sagas reboot back in 2015 "We get asked to do all sorts of stuff now, we recently did the Sage for two nights. We've done fun-runs in costume. It's just always something different" he said.
"It's about helping charities, and doing it in such a way people respond to it. You have got to do something different, and what's more different than Star Wars?"
While fans like Nigel are seeing a sudden surge of attention towards the fan group, Stormtooper enthusiast Dave Batey has already embraced the attention making imperial allies over the pond, "I have got two guys I'm in contact with in Canada and a handful of people in America." "When you build the Armour especially, getting the knowledge from others is really useful." "It's a worldwide family."
While dressing up as Stormtooper may sound like a doddle, it comes at a cost, with some suits costing over £1000! Fans like Dave will take all the advice they can get.
Chaldon Collingwood, 22 from Newcastle is a massive Star Wars fan, and has been a member of the Garrison for 8 months, and in that time she has already gained some popularity, and has even been recongised at work.
"I work at Starbucks at the Metrocentre and a lot of my customers are like, are you who I think you are?"
With only a handful of female characters in the Star Wars series it makes it hard for female members like Chaldon, she is one of two female members in the North East, but she is already setting her sights on what is next for "In the future I might to do more costumes, I quite fancy doing a Stormtrooper"
Where there is a Princess Leia there is also a Luke Skywalker. Johnathan Harrison, 21 is one of the newbies, having only joined 4 months ago he is only just learning the ropes, but like any true Jedi he is ready for the challenge. "We are really busy next week, we are at the Metrocentre four days next week." He said.
"Over the next ten years I can't see it slowing down. The next ten year is going to be Star Wars packed."
With the group's popularity on the rise, they are gaining new members every day. It's obvious they will continue to help charities raise more money, on the opening night of The Last Jedi they raised £332. A phenomenal feat from a group of fans and friends.
