The last Jedi in Singapore strikes back for charity

“It’s quite an honour and a privilege,” said the 31-year-old, who is FightSaber’s founder and president.

Youth.SG spotted the group in 2012, when we wrote about communities that found each other over the internet. Since then, the fan group has expanded internationally, opening five other chapters within Southeast Asia, and has partnered charity groups and organisations such as Beyond Social Services and Riding for the Disabled Association, showcasing their saber-wielding skills at several fundraising events.

Azmi, who has an uncle with down syndrome, empathises with the struggles of his beneficiaries.

The freelance videographer, who was brought up by his single mother after his father died, said: “Some of the kids we work with at Beyond Social Services are from single-parent families, and some do not have parents at all. My mother worked very hard to provide for my siblings and I, so I’m not underprivileged, but I understand how difficult it is for single parents to bring up their children.”

“It’s always nice to perform for the youths and disabled, to make them feel like everybody else and they get to enjoy what we enjoy. It’s a warm feeling when you interact with them, and it makes you want to do more for them,” said Azmi, who owns six customised lightsabers.

The group, made up of members from ages 16 to 39, meets up once a week at Cairnhill Community Centre to practise their fight choreography. Their lightsabers are customised by their local sabre smith Kit, and each costs over $200.

And while FightSaber does not get paid for their performances, they encourage event organisers to donate a certain amount to charity.

FightSaber member Alexander Tan, 26, feels that the best reward from these events is seeing the smiles on children’s faces.

He added: “It’s a lot to a child when they see their favourite characters come to life. When you dress up as a character…it lifts up spirits and emotions.”

Alexander, who has been practising his lightsaber skills with the group since 2015, added: “We want to inspire youths, that giving back to the community doesn’t have to be just through donations or doing charity work. It can actually be simply doing what you enjoy and giving back at the same time.”