Peter Capaldi covers Bowie and meets fans to raise cash for CHAS

Tardis favourite Peter Capaldi had fun for a cause this weekend at Capital Sci-Fi Con in Edinburgh.

He joined thousands of sci-fi fans at the Corn Exchange for the not-for-profit pop culture event, now in its fourth year, in aid of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

Capaldi treated onlookers to a sing-along rendition of David Bowie‘s Starman and stayed an hour past the convention closed to make sure he met every eager fan who wanted to speak to the actor.

Joining the twelfth Doctor was Star Wars and Harry Potter star Warwick Davis, ‘creature performer’ Katy Kartwheel and even fifth Time Lord Peter Davison. Comic book illustrators, craft makers, storytellers and vendors of rare memorabilia were also part of the event.

Capaldi also donated his whole autograph fee to CHAS. The charity provides vital hospice care to babies, children and young people with life-shortening illnesses across Scotland.

CHAS offers palliative care and respite for a child’s whole family at its two hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.

Laura Campbell, senior community fundraiser for CHAS, thanked event organiser Keith Armour. “Keith and his team of ‘causeplayers’ are a phenomenal group of fundraisers,” she said. “Through their infectious passion for all things sci-fi and giving back to the community. The total raised from this weekend is still being counted, but we expect it to top last year’s £74,000.

“We can’t thank Keith and the ‘causeplayers’ enough for their support. They joined forces with the CHAS volunteer army to make this a glorious weekend we will remember for a long time.

“We simply couldn’t do the work we do without them and the rest of our passionate and committed supporters who are helping us on our mission of reaching every child in Scotland with a life-shortening condition.”

Capital Sci-Fi Con has raised more than £187,000 for CHAS overall.

Image: Adam Meldrum and Peter Capaldi, by Lesley Martin