At the age of 10, David Britten from Canterbury first saw Darth Vader on the big screen.
It affected him so much that 47 years later, the actor, from Kairaki Beach near Kaiapoi, still plays the iconic Star Wars film character and brings joy to terminal patients of all ages.
“A lady in her 70s was a big fan. She had planned her funeral down to the smallest detail for a Star Wars themed send-off,” David said.
“Her family invited me to see her shortly before she died. When I walked into the room dressed as Father, she had a big grin on her face.
“We were talking about how big of a fan she was, then I left and shortly after that she passed away.
“It was so emotional, but also a great honor to finally make her happy.”
His first call for help came one evening, when a family contacted him and asked if he could come visit their terminally ill son.
“Tomorrow?” David asked. “No, now please,” they replied.
“I went there knowing he only had a few hours to live.
“It was a very intense session, because nothing had prepared me for it. But the boy was such a big fan.
“He was so sick that he could only whisper.
“We had a wonderful conversation about his passion for Darth Vader.
“I gave him one of my replica gloves as a keepsake. They buried it with him.”
David has been asked four times to visit people at the end of their lives.
“If I can help in any way, I'd be happy to do so.”
The most striking thing about his portrayal of Darth Vader is that he does it for free.
“If I can make a difference and put a smile on someone's face, that's all I need.
“I've been training myself for the last 17 years to be the character, and it takes all that training to stay in character while listening to the last words of a young person with only a few hours left.”
David shared that he was bullied at school and that after watching Star Wars he became obsessed with Darth Vader.
“Here was a man who stood up to everyone. He became my inspiration.”
David spent nearly $14,000 putting together the costume, collecting many rare and unique elements from around the world.
He said it was a physically demanding costume to wear during events such as the Santa Claus parade and the Armageddon shows.
“It's heavy, about 26 kilos.
“It's a great thing to wear when it's hot outside.”
He once collapsed from the heat during a parade in New Brighton and therefore no longer participates in such activities.
“I had to stop attending shows because over-enthusiastic fans started damaging the suit. But now I have found my calling in helping others.”
The unemployed actor said it was now his passion.
He said that once he started wearing the costume, people quickly recognized the character.
“It's amazing how many people come together to meet and have their picture taken with a movie's most famous villain.
“Put me next to someone dressed as Han Solo and they all come to me.”
Today, David spends his days helping others.
He often gets requests to make video messages in costume for sick children or fans in America. He says he is always available for those who need him.
“I was recently preparing for my mother's funeral when the funeral director asked if I was available to do themed funerals. I said yes, even if it was just greeting guests or handing out programs for fans of the popular film franchise.”