A young boy who suffered a stroke as a baby inspired Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers to invade a shopping centre for a charity event.
Led by the iconic Sith Lord, members of the 99th Garrison, who dress up as the imperial soldiers from the Star Wars franchise for good causes, took over Eagles Meadow in Wrexham.
Armed with blasters, lightsabers and collection buckets they raised cash for Wrexham-based UK charity Hemichat who support youngsters who’ve had strokes, by enabling affected families to share support, information and life experiences.
The fund-raising event was organised by Andy Robertson, the manager of Phones 4U at Eagles Meadow, and raised more than £350 for the fledgling charity founded by Gillian Hayes after her brave four-year-old son, Luke, had a stroke.
She said: “After Luke was diagnosed it was a bit of a lonely place, and childhood stroke is not well known.
“So we went in search of other families to gain support and find more out about the condition, and that’s led on to a fully-fledged charity where we help nearly 900 parents across the UK.
“It was a real shock when Luke was diagnosed and we found out that he’d had a stroke. It’s not something we expected. Babies can have a stroke in the womb and they can have a stroke during labour as well during birth. In Luke’s case we didn’t find out until he was 10 months old. We knew that something wasn’t right and the MRI confirmed the situation.
“Luke has right side hemiplegia, resulting in cerebral palsy which means he has a weakness throughout his right side, his arm and leg. It will affect mainly his limbs. He sees physios and occupational therapists, and also he has some issues with his vision as a result of the stroke.
“He is doing really well. We help him on a daily basis, encourage him, and basically tell him that he can do anything that any other child is doing, he just has to work a little bit harder.
“The charity is enabling children like Luke to take part in activities that most children would take for granted.
“The people of Wrexham have been very generous and we’ve actually had a family turn up today whose daughter has just been recently diagnosed, and they’ve come along just to introduce themselves and to see if they can join the charity.
“The members of the 99th Garrison and Andy from Phones 4U at Eagles Meadow have really got behind this. It’s been brilliant. We’re over the moon, and for them to organise something like this means a lot.
“Luke has really enjoyed himself today. He got his photo taken with the Stormtroopers and Darth Vader.”
Luke added: “I like the Stormtroopers and Darth Vader. I watch Star Wars and Darth Vader is my favourite character.
“I feel very proud of my mummy today.”
One fan who turned out to see the Stormtroopers was little Star Wars fan Ellie Capstick, seven, from Eyton.
She said: “I liked having my picture taken with the Stormtroopers. I’m not scared at all of them at all because I’m feeling very brave today. Darth Vader would be no match for me.”
Phones 4U store manager Andy Robertson said: “I’m absolutely delighted with how the event is going. It’s been very busy and the Stormtoopers have been well received.
“As soon as they arrived there were people all around taking photographs. People had read about it in the paper and purposely come out for it. One little boy had bought his toys down to show them. I’m really happy.
“People generally associate strokes with older people, but it happens to younger people as well. I was quite shocked about the age group it affects. The charity is there to help.
“Young people affected by strokes can have problems with mobility and things like that. It can affect anybody. It can be from birth, or you could just wake up one morning, and something has happened and you’d rely on this charity to help you out.
“People who are affected by things like this can lead happy fulfilling lives, but often they need support.
“You might need them one day, or someone you know. They’re not a faraway charity on the other side of the world. It’s something that’s local, and it’s nice to give something back.”
Paul Truesdale, a member of the 99th Garrison from Wrexham, is chuffed with how the event went.
The father of four, who works in the Chester branch of Bank of America as a project manager in the fraud department, said: “It’s been fantastic. There are a lot of coins and notes going into the buckets. The people of Wrexham are really enthusiastic about this. A lot of people have come along especially for this event. The charity is getting lots of publicity.
“There’s been a big buzz on Facebook and Twitter before the event. We always advertise our events on social media but this one has really taken off. I feel very proud of Wrexham today, and it’s nice to be on home soil.
For more information about Hemichat please visit www.hemichat.org or ring +44 (0) 844 802 3203.
