Yahoo News Star Wars Day at Darlington coffee shop raises over £1,000 for charity
A Darlington coffee shop has raised over £1,000 for charity this weekend as they celebrated Star Wars Day 2024.
May the force, or better yet, May the 4th be with you was the message from Echo 3 in Darlington yesterday (May 4) as the popular roastery marked Star Wars Day.
Clarks Yard in the town centre was buzzing all morning into the afternoon as fans of the saga came dressed in their very best Star Wars fashion to mark the day.
Star Wars Day at Echo 3 in Darlington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
Star Wars Day at Echo 3 in Darlington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
Face painters, raffles, blue milk and star wars themed bakes to raise charity funds were all a part of the celebration - including blue milk from the Star Wars series.
Also known as Bantha Milk, the bright blue beverage is, according to customers, cotton candy flavoured and was clearly popular as people queued for up to half an hour to get their hands on it.
Star Wars Day at Echo 3 in Darlington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
Now, the owners have confirmed that a mammoth £1,007 was raised to support Mac My Day - a charity set up to support 9-year-old Macaulay Stuart who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
On social media, they wrote: "What a day! Yesterday you came out in force to celebrate Star Wars day and raise money for Mac My Day and what a day it was!
"We are so overwhelmed with all the support. Times are a little bit hard but you still came out and donated!
Star Wars Day at Echo 3 in Darlington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
"We appreciate all our customers support and your donations will go towards finding a cure sooner. Until May 4 2025... May the force be with you."
Leanne and Stephen Round with their two boys Samuel and George were just one of the families in the queue yesterday.
Leanne said: "We come every year - it's an amazing day. We're all big Star Wars fans."
Star Wars Day at Echo 3 in Darlington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
Star Wars Day at Echo 3 in Darlington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
Youngsters Samuel and George were dressed in their best costumes for the big day and were raring to go - colourful lightsabres in hand, of course.
Further down was youngster Seb Dale who donned a Darth Vader costume for his second year at Echo 3's May 4 extravaganza.
Seb's mum told the Echo: "I think it's a great event for the town and Star Wars fans."
