Andy

I’ve been a lifelong fan of film, characters and pop culture, but my cosplay journey actually began as a Stormtrooper under the name Pompey Trooper. What started as a love of costuming, characters and bringing a bit of movie magic to people soon grew into something much bigger.

Over time, Ghostbusters became a huge part of that journey too. Building and modifying gear, meeting other fans and sharing that passion eventually led to the creation of the Portsmouth Ghostbusters, and from there into the wider charity cosplay community that became Hampshire Cosplay for Charity.

Since 2018, I’ve helped raise more than £20,000 for Cancer Research UK alone, alongside supporting other charities and good causes through events, appearances and fundraising. That is something I’m incredibly proud of.

For me, cosplay has become about far more than simply wearing a costume. It is about bringing people together, creating memorable moments and using a shared love of characters to make a genuine difference.

One of my favourite things about cosplay is seeing someone’s reaction when a character they love suddenly walks into the room — especially when that moment can also help raise awareness or funds for an important cause.