'May the cash be with you' (From Watford Observer)

Star Wars characters visit Asda, raising cash in memory of actor's late wife

6:01pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By Amie Mulderrig, Features Writer

Darth Vader, Stormtroopers and Wookies carrying collection buckets greeted visitors to a Watford supermarket on Saturday, for a fundraiser aimed at raising cash for breast cancer charity The Pink Ribbon Foundation.

The event was organised by actor Harry Fielder, who was selling and signing copies of his book about his time in the film industry and donating some of the cash raised from sales to the charity.

Mr Fielder, who appeared in Dr Who, the Norman Wisdom Show and Star Wars among others, said he arranged the fundraiser at Asda in memory of his wife Mary, who died aged 65.

The Leavesden resident said: "Mary passed away from cancer two years ago and there’s not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.

"Since her death I’ve held a couple of fundraisers for cancer charities.

"Cancer is a terrible thing to have. My mum died from it, I was diagnosed with it in 2004, but fortunately recovered, and it’s killed my wife.

"Any money I can raise to fund research or care is hugely important to me.

"It's a great way of keeping Mary’s memory alive - for me she’ll never die.

"I can’t thank everyone who took part in Saturday enough - the guys in costume, and Jeff and Karen Collett for their help."

From book sales and collection buckets, Mr Fielder raised £300 for the charity, with Asda contributing about £3,000 from its monthly collection.