Star Wars cosplayers Phoenix Squad bring the Force to Yorkshire

Trustee Barbara Young, 50, from York, has been part of the group since it began.

“At the end of the day, when you hand the cheque over with how much money we’ve raised, it’s a really big thing and it’s just the joy of it,” she says.

“That money goes towards stuff like days out for end-of-life children, so it all helps with everything they need.”

Having handed a £10,000 cheque to Brainkind, external in its first year, and one for £10,299 to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, external in its second, the group is now raising money for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, but is on the lookout for more charities to support.

Director Phil Blackburn, 45, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, says: “Seeing the impact that the money we raise does for the charities is fantastic.

“It’s nice to know that Star Wars is still relevant, because it makes us relevant and it just brings joy to people, and it’s brilliant to be part of that.”

Sophie Dennison, from Bradford, has stepped into the boots of Kay Vess, the protagonist from the video game Star Wars Outlaws.

“I love Star Wars, I have since I was a kid, and I just thought it’d be really good to help with charities and fundraising,” the 25-year-old explains.

“I love the kits and the ideas and just making them as well.”

Liam Hill, 27, from Sheffield, joined the squad as a Jedi with his twin-brother Ben.

“It’s a lot of fun, it keeps me busy on the weekend and I just love teaching kids about lightsabers,” he says.

Phoenix Squad has events planned far into the future and is promising a special guest will attend Princes Quay, Hull, on 22 November and Flemingate, Beverley, on 13 December.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.