August 20th 2011
Simon Leonard
In January 2011 Simon, a popular local figure and member of the Star Warriors enactment group was taken very seriously ill with the most virulent strain of swine flu.
Simon's survival depended upon an Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine located at Leicester Glenfield Hospital. It saved his life. The device, similar to a heart and lung machine allowed Simon's blood to be oxygenated outside of his body. There are only nine such machines in the entire country.
It has taken enormous courage and determination and Simon is slowly regaining his health and strength.
On 20th August 2011 Invasion Colchester heightened public awareness and raised over £1,500 towards the purchase of an ECMO machine. In the following week another £1,500 was generated. This a fantastic achievement and Ralph is honoured to have been invited to appear at the event.
Harry "Aitch" Fielder with Ralph
Ralph was signing on the day alongside a real gentleman and true professional;
Harry "Aitch" Fielder
Aitch's film and t.v. career spanned some 32 years appearing in well over 800 roles. He is well known to Star Wars fans as Corporal Greenwick in the Princess Leia torture scene from A New Hope. Over the years Aitch and Ralph have worked together on several occasions including, Minder, Tale of Two Cities, The Elephant Man, The Long Good Friday, Breaking Glass and It Ain't Half Hot Mum. Aitch is currently writing a book about his life and film experiences which promises to be a superb read. His knowledge of the film industry is second to none and his website is a real gem.: harryfielder.co.uk
The Characters
Baba Fett and an Imperial Stormtrooper outside Colchester Library
Over seventy character icons from the movies were located across Colchester Town Centre on the day. In addition to the various Star Wars characters, the observant also witnessed Batman and Batgirl, Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swahn, Lt Strabuck, Dr Who and a Dalek, Predator, Ghostbusters, Colonial Marines, Lara Croft, Gorilla Soldiers, Indiana Jones, Ghost, The Spirit and even Starsky and Hutch's legendary car and Del Boy's Robin Reliant.
Aitch and Ralph with Simon Leonard (Centre) and members of the Invasion Colchester team
Please visit the Invasion Colchester website for more details.
