Rather than working for the Dark Side, truck driver Kev Hughes says he puts the Star Wars uniform to good use as part of charity fundraising ventures.
Speaking after he was captured on video shot by Jason Hunter of Castle Douglas last month, Kev said: “I’ve been a Star Wars fan since 1977 at the age of nine when I first saw the stormtroopers board the Tantive IV – Princess Leah’s ship.
“I sat in awe and wanted nothing more than to be one.”
Thirty-nine years later, Kev discovered a company based in Manchester which produced custom-fitted reproduction of the outfits seen in director George Lucas’ fantasy film saga.
Although costing over £2000, Kev said: “I had the surplus cash to afford it, so I ordered it and waited patiently for it to arrive.
“When I got it two months later, it was a childhood dream come true.”
And Kev has put the uniform to good use, wearing it at Tesco in Lockerbie to help raise money for the Armed Forces Bikers, in Dumfries with a collection bucket for Cancer Research and in Runcorn in Cheshire for a friend’s mental health charity.
Kev’s ultimate goal is to join the 501st Legion – a global collective of Star Wars fans who help raise money for charity while dressing as members of The Empire.
Costumes must pass strict quality checks, and Kev said: “The only stipulation is that it must be a ‘bad guy’, and they go under the tag line of ‘bad guys doing good’.
But although donning his uniform for charity, Kev said: “I also wear it on occasion just for fun.
“I admit I love seeing people’s reactions to it and am always willing to stop for photos and selfies as, like it’s been said, it’s not something you see every day.”
And after being caught on camera on Whitesands on a Saturday afternoon, he added: “That was the first time I’d worn it in Dumfries for fun – but probably not the last.
“I want to get my £2000 money’s worth from it.”
