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Storm Trooper Jacob French Walks Across Australia For Starlight Foundation Charity (PHOTOS)

First Posted: 07/15/11 09:03 AM ET   Updated: 09/14/11 06:12 AM ET

Generally, the oncoming march of a storm trooper does not portend well for children or those in need of a helping hand. In Australia, though, where toilets flush counter clockwise and the sun is up when much of the rest of the world is sleeping, the march of this evil Empire foot soldier is an absolute blessing.

Jacob French, member of the Terror Australis Garrison of Vader's First, the 501st Legion of Storm Troopers -- a worldwide group of enthusiasts who dress as the "Star Wars" characters for good causes -- is marching 3,106 miles across the continent country, from Perth to Sydney, in order to raise money for the Starlight Foundation, a charity for children with life-threatening diseases.

French, aka TK-6283, explained the idea on his project's website:

In October 2010 I participated in the RunMelb Half marathon (21kms) in my stormtrooper suit. The suit was restrictive and got quite hot while I was running, but the seed was planted for the troopertrek idea. Since the marathon I have started to train regularly for this event and have acquired a much lighter and flexible set of armour that will be trimmed for better movement. I am hoping that by choosing to wear stormtrooper armour I will be able to gather more attention for the cause I am running for and have a bit of a laugh along the way.

You can track French's efforts on his Facebook page, as well as make a donation on his site.

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Generally, the oncoming march of a storm trooper does not portend well for children or those in need of a helping hand. In Australia, though, where toilets flush counter clockwise and the sun is up wh...
Generally, the oncoming march of a storm trooper does not portend well for children or those in need of a helping hand. In Australia, though, where toilets flush counter clockwise and the sun is up wh...
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12:42 AM on 07/18/2011
i think the sneakers ruined the pictures for me... but they're still great
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BannedInBoston
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.
08:31 PM on 07/17/2011
"I knew I left my AT-AT Walker around here somewhere!"
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Chris Burgess
George Bush. The Worst President Ever!
03:42 AM on 07/17/2011
Its you guys that have the water going down the toilet the wrong way!
10:37 PM on 07/16/2011
How cool, but I hope he has air conditioning/cooling in that plastic suit.
08:27 PM on 07/16/2011
Wait! He's still looking for the droids? LOL
11:17 AM on 07/16/2011
If anyone wants more information about the 501st Legion:

http://www.501st.com
http://www.facebook.com/the501stlegion
http://www.twitter.com/501stlegion
10:41 AM on 07/16/2011
"I find your lack of faith disturbing"
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
edejan
01:21 AM on 07/16/2011
My fellow 501ster makes me proud. The 501st is a world-wide organization and is always ready to pitch in for charitable causes. Thank you, Jacob!
01:18 AM on 07/16/2011
A brother Legionnaire does us proud. Well Done. The 501st Legion does this sort of work for charity all over the world. Its why "The Maker" George Lucas allows us to play in his galaxy!
12:37 AM on 07/16/2011
I completely misread the title of this article. I thought it was a Storm Trooper named Jacob who was "French Walking" across Australia.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Gup
'ere John, got new motor?
11:33 PM on 07/15/2011
Glad to see that Jacob is wearing runners and not standard stormtrooper boots otherwise he wouldn't make it 4 kilometres. Respect dude. After doing Supanova in Sydney in one of these outfits, I can safely say that 5 hours sees you with welts in all the strange places....
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Sunwyn Ravenwood
Farewell my friends, time to go...
11:03 PM on 07/15/2011
This is great! You are a real credit to the 501st Trooper French!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sunshineshines
08:47 PM on 07/15/2011
watch for roos.
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07:01 PM on 07/15/2011
That's awesome, mate!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Aldo Rodriguez
No Trumps need reply.
06:37 PM on 07/15/2011
"The Force is strong with this one!"