Star Wars fans raise £10,000 for brain injury charity

A group of Star Wars fans in movie-accurate costumes has raised £10,000 for Brainkind, a York-based charity supporting people with brain injuries.

Known as Phoenix Squad, the group handed over the cheque on 22 June at the Brainkind Neurological Centre in York, which provides specialist assessment and rehabilitation for people with acquired brain injuries—damage to the brain that occurs after birth due to causes such as trauma, stroke or infection—and other neurological conditions.

Phoenix Squad made Brainkind their Charity of the Year in 2024 and attended 50 events across Yorkshire to raise the funds.

Events took place in York, Leeds, Halifax, Castleford, Bradford, Doncaster, Hornsea, Bridlington and Brighouse, with the group dedicating around 284 hours to their efforts.

The money will support Brainkind’s work delivering person-centred care to help people recover and adapt after brain injury.

Phil Blackburn, a member of Phoenix Squad, said: “When we set up Phoenix Squad, we wanted to choose a charity to support.

“We visited Daniel Yorath House in Garforth to meet the Brainkind team and we saw their inspiring work first-hand.

“It has been incredible to see the difference they make in people’s lives, and we are delighted to have raised £10,000 for Brainkind as our Charity of the Year.”

Richard Barwick, fundraising officer at Brainkind, said: “We’re so grateful to Phoenix Squad for giving up their free time to raise money for Brainkind.

“Donations like these can make a real difference to people living with brain injuries or other neurological conditions, helping them to live healthier, happier, more independent lives.

“The £10,000 raised will enable Brainkind to enrich the lives of the people we support through meaningful, engaging social activities.”