So,A fellow cosplayers asked for my help to help with her studies but because i’m me..I took too long to reply to her message and she submitted her work in before I had a chance to reply. I thought I’d share my answers to the questions that she asked me.
1. What is Starlight Day? What does it involve?
Starlight Day is a day where people come together to help raise funds for children and their families to try and make their time in hospital a bit more enjoyable.
2. What was your job on the day? What was your experience on the day?
My job was to head down to King George Square down at Brisbane to help convince members of the public to donate to a worthy cause.
3. Why do you volunteer for Starlight Day?
I volunteered for something different. I’ve volunteered for others before and thought I’d help raise some money for something important.
4. Why do you love cosplay?
I cosplay to get a break away from reality. I struggle with my mental health and cosplaying helps me realise that there is more to life than the walls of my house. I get to make friends and push myself out of my comfort zone.
5. Have you found that cosplayers are more empathetic with charities?
Yes. Because a few cosplayers I have spoken too, have experience something that they are volunteering for. One cosplayer I spoke to said that she has been in/out of hospital for as long as she could remember, and cosplaying was something that helped her ignore her medical condition and she said that Starlight Foundation is important to keep the scariness of hospital away.
6. What was the public’s response to your cosplays in Starlight week?
They enjoyed it but due to the fact we had a cat woman who loved to demonstrate her whip skills, some people where a little freaked out and a few children cried.
7. How much money did you raise?
Currently, I’m unsure but the Starlight Foundation was hoping for over 1.3million in total.
8. What cosplays do you usually do?
I mostly cosplay DC Characters but I do range from Disney’s Tinkerbell, Super girl, Batgirl, a few variants of Harley Quinn, A female version of Riddler, Day of The Dead inspired Nurse and Gemini (which is a mash up of Joker/ Batman inspired by Prince)
9. What is the best part about volunteering for Starlight week?
The best part of volunteering is seeing the curiosities on the public’s faces. Some where confused why we cosplayed to help raised funds but many got a kick out of our cosplays and were more than happy to donate if it meant getting a photo with us.
10. What piece of advice can you give to those who would love to get involved in the event via cosplay?
It doesn’t hurt to volunteer but be prepared to be on your feet all day. If you were to cosplay to a volunteer experience than wear a cosplay that it’s okay to be worn during long periods and in the heat. Also, be prepared to forget about eating and drinking.
11. Would you volunteer next year and would you urge other people to get involved?
Honestly, why not. I got the itch to volunteer for Starlight because I saw other cosplayers volunteering and hopefully that convinces other people to volunteer to.
