Forres father of two Mark Donald opened his Castle Street gStar Wars garden to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support
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AROUND 75 science-fiction fans visited another galaxy far, far away on a day that has become special to movie-goers across the planet.
Father-of-two and kitchen porter, Mark Donald (47), opened up the Star Wars-themed garden to the public that he has spent the last six years putting together on Thursday May 4 - his daughter Nicole’s birthday and a traditional release date for the franchise which uses the slogan “May the force (4) be with you”.
Mark said: “The day went well and everything went smoothly. A visitor even gave me Champagne for the opening and to celebrate the work that’s gone into it. She also brought her Luke Skywalker helmet to sit on my X-wing!”
Mark’s back garden at 10 Castle Street features 31 life size characters and six large/life size spaceships from Star Wars that he has made himself or bought in.
He set everything up then opened it up from 4-8pm, proudly guiding his visitors around the exhibits.
He said: “I think most of the attendees were from Forres. I didn’t know everyone though so I’m not sure if others were from out of town. Their age varied from five to 60-years-old! They all loved it. Compliments included “amazing” and “phenomenal”!”
Rather than ask for an entrance fee, Mark accepted voluntary donations on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Care.
He said: “The charity money has been slow so far, especially online which I’d hoped would take off. I will have two more open days on July 8 and September 2 from midday-8pm to keep raising money but I’m considering asking Macmillan for sponsorship forms so I can go door-to-door.”
Sponsor Mark at https://www.justgiving.com/page/starwarsmyworld
Mark has since taken the display characters indoors for safe keeping and covered up the remaining displays to protect them from the elements.
He has big plans to improve the ongoing project which has so far cost him around £25,000.
He explained: “There will be landscaping additions to make it look even better and to allow shorter setting up times.
“I’m hoping to buy a life-size C3PO this winter for around £2000. I plan to purchase a scout trooper too.
“Then I have plans for a Star Wars Death Star firepit to have wood burning at the end of open days.”
He finished: “But the big thing I’m looking at doing is installing a two-legged scout walker from the forest scenes in Return of the Jedi, which are around 25 feet tall. That would be epic!
