REBEL LEGION HELPS CHILDREN’S CHARITY AT CELEBRATION ANAHEIM

Members and friends of the Rebel Legion costuming group raised over $8,000 at their first-ever charity dinner, held during Star Wars Celebration Anaheim.

Celebrity guests including Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett) and Lee Towersey, R2D2 builder for the new Star Wars movie The Force Awakens, joined members of Lucasfilm’s preferred “good guys” costuming club to support children’s charity Variety through a series of raffles and auctions.

The charity dinner was the brainchild of three Rebels – Rick Chinn from Hoth Base in Australia, Suzi Stelling and Roman Bela from Elstree Base in the United Kingdom – who decided to use the opportunity to fundraise for Variety while Rebel Legion members from all over the world were gathered together for the biggest event in Star Wars fandom.

300 people attended the event, which highlighted the Rebel Legion’s motto of Costuming – Charity – Community. Guest speakers included David Small, the Executive Director of Variety International; Albin Johnson, founder of the 501st Legion and the Galactic Academy; and Pete Vilmur, head of fan relations from Lucasfilm.

“Coming from a show business background, the Rebel Legion and Variety, the Children’s Charity share a common goal of building a better, more fun world. Like the Rebel Legion has “bases” around the world, Variety has “tents” across the world serving children at a local, national and international level,” David said later.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Rebel Legion globally to help brighten the lives of many more children. On behalf of the kids Variety supports, we thank the Rebel Legion members for their support and partnership.”

Auction and raffle prizes included a Star Wars Episode 7 crew jacket, several signed X-wing helmets, a crystal reveal lightsaber and a Chewbacca messenger bag signed by Peter Mayhew. Rare Rebel Legion collectors’ items were also auctioned off to bring in more money for Variety.

Donna Keeley, commanding officer of the Rebel Legion, said: “We are proud of what we were able to achieve with our Charity Dinner. Our only regret is that we had to turn so many people away as it sold out about two months before the night. We had great guest speakers, a very generous crowd and some special VIPs to join us.

“Our hope is that this can become one of our signature events, to have the Rebel Legion Charity Dinner at Star Wars Celebrations supporting a wonderful charity.”

Plans are now under way to hold another charity dinner at Celebration Europe in London next year.

For more information, please contact Rick Chinn (rick.chinn@gmail.com) or Claire Mackie (pr@rebellegion.co.uk).