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Sci-Fi stars’ support for Charlotte is out of this world

Edinburgh family feel the love at annual convention in support of Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

A 13-year-old Edinburgh girl and her mother will ring in ten years of specialised care from CHAS hospice Rachel House this weekend (Friday 14 – Sunday 16 February) by donning their superhero costumes for Capital Sci-Fi Con, a fantasy, science fiction and comic fan convention, which benefits the national children’s charity.

Charlotte Farrell – who has primary microcephaly, a condition that can cause her to suffer up to 50 seizures a day, compounded by many other complications in her health – has attended in previous years, dressing up as heroines such as Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman.

Her mother Susan, 46, has found another avenue of support through the convention, which fellow families attend alongside thousands of fans and many stars of TV and cinema. She has met everyone from Star Wars legend Warwick Davis to Scotland’s own James Mackenzie, who has latterly become a fundraising ambassador for the charity.

Susan Farrell said: “Charlotte attended Rachel House for the first time when she was four-years-old and we have seen so many changes and lost so many friends in that time. I have found that the House is not a sad place, even at times of bereavement. It’s a home away from home and a place where you can relax, knowing your child is being taken care of as you recharge. It’s a place you can be a parent and not just a carer or nurse, constantly worrying.

“Looking back over the 10 years, we had no idea we would be here and we are so thankful we are. Charlotte spent 183 days in hospital in 2018 and 127 days in 2019. She has spent a lot of time in high dependency and intensive care and has been critical quite a few times over the last two years. So it’s very important for us to make every moment count and spend as much quality time doing things Charlotte loves. Sci-Fi Con is definitely one of those things!”

“We’ve been lucky enough to meet quite a few of the guest stars over the years, they’ve all taken the opportunity to ask personally about how CHAS helps, how much Charlotte gets out of that support and see what it can mean to a family. For example, last year we spent time with Warwick Davis and enjoyed a chat about the impact Rachel House has. I think meeting Charlotte and other kids who attend the houses – or are helped by CHAS at Home – puts a face to what they are donating their time to.”

Now in its fifth year, Edinburgh’s only not-for-profit family friendly pop culture, comic and movie convention is organised for fans by fans. 2019’s event attracted nearly 10,000 visitors, coming from as far afield as Brazil and Norway. Keith Armour and his team of volunteers raised over £62,000 for CHAS, taking the overall total since 2016 to an out-of-this-world £250,276.

Guests appearing at the 2020 edition include Doctor Who legend Colin Baker, Harry Potter’s David Bradley and many more figures from the worlds of Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Jurassic Park and beyond. There will be cosplayers, talks, comic book artists, memorabilia stalls, interactive replica prop sets from The Avengers, Batman, Star Trek, Jaws, Gremlins E.T. and much more. A full list of guests and patrons of the event can be found here. Limited tickets will be available at the box office.

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