THEY came from near and far to Braehead shopping centre on Thursday...even from a galaxy far, far away.

And although Darth Vader is a villain, he was doing a good deed by visiting the mall to help raise money for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.

The Gazette: Star Wars characters at Braehead about to start collecting money for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital CharityStar Wars characters at Braehead about to start collecting money for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Zachary Docherty, aged seven, (left) and his nine-year-old sister Zara, from Paisley, meet up with the characters from Star Wars at a Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity fundraising event at BraeheadZachary Docherty, aged seven, (left) and his nine-year-old sister Zara, from Paisley, meet up with the characters from Star Wars at a Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity fundraising event at Braehead (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity fundraising collectors, Sue Smith, left and Sharon Maguire with the Star Wars characters at BraeheadGlasgow Children’s Hospital Charity fundraising collectors, Sue Smith, left and Sharon Maguire with the Star Wars characters at Braehead (Image: Macdonald Media)

To mark Star Wars Day on May 4, Darth was joined by a Stormtrooper, a TIE Pilot, a Wookie and a Blue Squadron Pilot in a fundraising effort.

The Star Wars characters – who are from the Imperial Scottish Garrison Rebel Legion UK – were giving shoppers the chance to have a selfie taken with them in return for a donation to the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.

The Gazette: Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity fundraising collectors Sue Smith (left) and Sharon Maguire with the Star Wars characters at BraeheadGlasgow Children’s Hospital Charity fundraising collectors Sue Smith (left) and Sharon Maguire with the Star Wars characters at Braehead (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Seven-year-old Allegra Dissanaike, from Paisley, with a WookieSeven-year-old Allegra Dissanaike, from Paisley, with a Wookie (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Seven-year-old Allegra Dissanaike, from Paisley, with a WookieSeven-year-old Allegra Dissanaike, from Paisley, with a Wookie (Image: Macdonald Media)

William McGowan, head of partnerships at the charity, said: "We are so grateful to Imperial Scottish Garrison, Rebel Legion UK members and Braehead Shopping Centre for their continued support of the charity.

"Star Wars Day at Braehead is a highlight for children and adults alike, and the generosity of Braehead shoppers will help fund life-changing projects and services at the children’s hospital in Glasgow."

The Gazette: Seven-year-old Allegra Dissanaike, from Paisley, with a WookieSeven-year-old Allegra Dissanaike, from Paisley, with a Wookie (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Eight-year-old Zack, from Renfrew, bumped into some Star Wars characters when he visited BraeheadEight-year-old Zack, from Renfrew, bumped into some Star Wars characters when he visited Braehead (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Ashleigh Longworth, from Paisley, gets a selfie with a Stormtrooper at BraeheadAshleigh Longworth, from Paisley, gets a selfie with a Stormtrooper at Braehead (Image: Macdonald Media)

The Gazette: Darth Vader took the opportunity to get his nails done by Kaia Cervenkova, at the Now Nails bar, in BraeheadDarth Vader took the opportunity to get his nails done by Kaia Cervenkova, at the Now Nails bar, in Braehead (Image: Macdonald Media)

Lydia Brown, community development manager at Braehead shopping centre, said: "We were delighted when Darth Vader accepted our invitation to come out from the Dark Side long enough to raise much-needed money for such a good cause.

"The Force was certainly strong when the Star Wars characters were wandering around the mall collecting donations to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity."