Tired of being stuck at home and ready to venture into the convention world again? We feel you. Cons are one of the things we miss the most right now, but it’s not time to meet in person yet. Still, there’s plenty happening online — like Scotland’s Capital Sci Fi Con 2021 (CSFC), taking place virtually on Saturday, March 13.
The hugely popular pop culture, comic and movie convention is usually held over three days at Edinburgh Corn Exchange, with all proceeds going directly to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Undeterred by the fact a physical event would not be possible this year due to the ongoing pandemic, organizer and superhero fundraiser Keith Armour decided to run a virtual version instead.
“We are working hard behind the scenes to make sure the sixth Capital Sci-Fi Con is a huge success, and one of the benefits of running it virtually is that we will hopefully reach a wider audience and new fans all over the world,” says Armour.
Recent research commissioned by CHAS shows there over 16,700 babies, children and young people in Scotland living with a life-shortening condition. Throughout the pandemic, the charity has had to dramatically transform the way in which it operates. As well as launching the UK’s first virtual children’s hospice at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, the charity is continuing to prioritize end-of-life and emergency care in hospice and children’s homes as well as supporting the NHS and Scottish Government in this national effort.
Merging a celebration of science fiction with charity makes a lot of sense, and it is productive too. CHAS Senior Community Fundraiser, Fiona Leslie, says, “We can’t thank Keith and his amazing team of volunteers enough for their dedication to helping CHAS. Since 2016 they have raised a phenomenal £312,000, and these funds have played a key role in helping many children with life shortening conditions right across Scotland and their families.”
Last year’s convention raised over £60,000 with the star-studded line-up including patron and Star Wars legend, Angus MacInnes, Harry Potter’s David Bradley, sixth Doctor Who Colin Baker, Game of Thrones star Ian Beattie and many other popular personalities from the worlds of science fiction and fantasy.
This year promises to be just as exciting, and fans can expect the same level of family-friendly amazing attractions — including high-profile TV and film actors, writers and directors, cosplay competitions, workshops and all the usual top sci-fi traders.
Tickets to the convention itself cost £3, offering fans online access for the full day. CHAS also plans to host a ‘Week of Geek’ in the run up to the event, with exclusive tickets to exciting attractions such as Ghostbustersand Disney star panel talks at an additional cost.
A live auction and raffle will run alongside the event, with a selection of sought-after prizes from stars such as multi-award winning actress Emma Thompson, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch actress Melissa Joan Hart. Keith and his team of volunteer ‘causeplayers’ have raised an out-of-this-world £312,000 for CHAS through Capital Sci-Fi-Con since 2016 and hope that by going virtual this year, they can raise even more vital funds to help the charity continue its important work supporting children with life-shortening illnesses and their families across Scotland.
Fans can buy tickets for the event through the CSFC website. Additional details on CHAS’s exclusive additional Week of Geek events, raffle and auction will also be posted in the run up to the convention.
For more information on the 2021 Virtual Capital Sci-Fi Con event and to buy tickets, visit the convention’s website.