BIG C STAR WARS EVENT NORWICH CASTLE MALL: 02 October 2010 10:00 - 03 October 2010 16:00

UPDATE: From Lee Nelson....
Thank you for coming to Norwich for The Big C Charity Star Wars Event, I would just like to let you know we raised £2,273.54. Once again thank you Alan, for making the weekend a success!

To see a newspaper article covering the event, please click here: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/stars_wars_stars_in_norwich_1_662401?action=logout



In response to a call passed to me by Derek Lyons and Laurie Goode, I stepped in as a last minute replacement for Kenny Baker at this event.

The Norwich Star Wars Club, in partnership with Gordon Barber Funeral Directors and The Norwich Castle Mall Management staged this event to raise money for the Big C cancer appeal on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October 2010, starting with the arrival by stretch limo of myself and my old friend, Alan Harris (Bossk the fearsome bounty hunter from The Empire Strikes Back),at the Castle Meadow entrance to the Mall. We were greeted by members of The Norwich Star Wars Club Heroes and Villains Costume Gang, including, amongst others, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Han Solo, X Wing Pilot, Tie Fighter Pilot, a fully functioning R2-D2 and of course a guard of Stormtroopers.



Alan Harris (Bossk the Bounty Hunter) and members of the Norwich Club travelling to the event in the limo!


Inside the Mall, the Club's backdrops of the Tantive IV Corridor, Endor Bunker and Hoth Ice Cave with the Millennium Falcon, all designed by Owen Wright, were on display. The backdrops were available for members of the public to take their own photographs with their favourite Star Wars characters. All the Club requested was for a donation to be put in the collecting buckets for the Big C Appeal. Alternatively photographs taken by the Club's photographer were provided, printed and mounted immediately, for £5. Again the proceeds went towards the target of raising £5000 for the Big C Appeal.



Alan Harris and myself pose for a group shot with the assembled members of the Norwich Star Wars Club on the second day

Richard Walker, President of the club and himself a person living with cancer, was amazing in his energy and constant barking for attention on the PA and was responsible for drawing in hundreds and hundreds of visitors and enthusiasts to the displays.


No shortage of visitors! The Flag of Friendship is in the background of this shot - a fully LFL sanctioned attempt to get as many costuming groups around the world to contribute their club, garrison, squad badges and patches for charity and to cover the world map in the design.

The Lucasfilm sanctioned Flag of Friendship

 There was absolutely no shortage of guests and everyone I met was really friendly and welcoming! If only all conventions were like this!

On the second day I had a nice surprise with the arrival of Mark Whitworth, who I had supported in a charity auction for early onset Parkinsons research. He brought with him a very nice certificate thanking me and many others, including his own club, The New Sensation's Scooter Club,  for contributing to having raised £6,500!!! Well done Mark and I hope your plans for next year work out! Count me in again, if I can help!!! :O)


Mark and I hold the Thank you certificate. Made my day! Thanks Mark!!!

Alan and I had a great time talking with the public and, as is often the case, the children were invariably the experts! It is great to see eager faces enthused and engaged in something that gives them pleasure!


Marcel Prag (Bobba Fett) and his two sons pose for a photo with Alan Harris

 I hope to hear back from Richard that they have raised an amazing amount towards their target from these very active and enjoyable two days! I must also thank the driver of the stretch limo, Shawn of WOW-A-LIMO, for being such a great sport with his car. If you want to hire him you will find the company on Facebook! :o)

The WOW-A-LIMO car with Darth Vader (Peter Bean), R4D4 and Norwich Castle as a backdrop.

 The drive home was pleasant and punctuated early on, as I left the city, by the appearance of a brilliant rainbow tail hanging over where I had just left! A portent, hopefully, of further success for Richard and the club!

A pot of gold surely lies in the collection pales of the Norwich Star Wars Club for their tireless and cheerful work collecting for The Big C !

Thank you for coming to Norwich for The Big C Charity Star Wars Event, I would just like to let you know we raised £2,273.54. Once again thank you Alan, for making the weekend a sucess!