Children at Robin House in Balloch had visitors recently who were truly out of this world.

In a line-up straight from the realms of cinema, Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Jessie from Toy Story and Superman were welcomed to the children’s hospice.

All are part of Capital Sci-Fi Con, an Edinburgh-based pop culture, comic and movie convention, which which donates all profits to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

The ‘Causeplayers’ team spent one-on-one time with the children, creating special memories for the families ahead of the group’s 2018 convention.

Their 2017 event attracted more than 7,000 fans from across the UK and raised an incredible £75,150.68 for CHAS.

Next year’s convention is set to be the biggest yet, with guest appearances confirmed from the seventh Dr Who, Sylvester McCoy, and his companion, Sophie Aldred, and Jeremy Bulloch, who played Boba Fett in the Star Wars films.

Jonathan Clegg, community fundraiser at CHAS said: “The ‘Causeplayers’ are an extraordinary group of fundraisers.

“Not only have they raised over £110,000 for CHAS through Capital Sci-Fi Con, held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on February 3 and 4, 2018 – but they also make the time to visit families at the hospices, to spend time with them.”

Jonathan said that with three children dying of a life-shortening condition every week in Scotland, Capital Sci-Fi Con’s support was vital.

He said: “We’re only reaching one of those families. We’re on a mission to reach every single one and bring comfort and joy to them this Christmas, and Capital Sci-Fi Con help us to do that via their tireless fund-raising, by connecting us with new audiences, and bringing laughter and smiles to our families.

“The visit was brilliant and gave families at Robin House the chance to meet their favourite characters.

“The ‘causeplayers’ bring so much fun and energy, which creates a real buzz around the hospice.

“As soon as they all walk in, in their costumes, the children’s faces just light up.

“We can’t thank the ‘causeplayers’ enough for all their dedication and commitment to CHAS. Roll on Capital Sci-Fi Con 2018!”

CHAS cares for families via its two hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House, and via its CHAS at Home service, which reaches families living across the whole of Scotland to deliver palliative and respite care.

CHAS at Home and CHAS’s Diana Children’s Nurses work in local communities, hospitals and with health boards and organisations to reach every family that needs CHAS.

To find out more about the CHAS Christmas Appeal and make a donation visit chas.org.uk.