# Sympathetic Stormtroopers Paul French Walks Across a Continent for Charity By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-07-17 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-french References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5821627/a-stormtrooper-is-walking-across-australia-for-charity/gallery/1) & [telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/8639897/Stormtrooper-plans-to-walk-across-Australia-to-raise-money-for-charity.html?image=2) For an ordinary man, the 2,553 mile trek from Perth to Sydney might seem daunting, but Paul French is no ordinary man; he's a Stormtrooper. In the hopes of raising money for the [Starlight Foundation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/klimon-minions) and attracting attention to the [ill and hospitalized children](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sickkids-foundation-ad) of Australia, Paul French has resolved to walk five days a week, every week until he's crossed the continent. At his current pace -- about 25 miles a day -- he's expected to complete the voyage in six months, but the trooper is resolute. After all, this time he's fighting for a worthy cause. Why a Stormtrooper? It's unclear, but my guess is that between the helmet and armor, the uniform is enough to keep him warm during Australia's tepid winter. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Fundraising Treks:** Opportunity for individuals to undertake long-distance treks for charity and raising awareness for a cause. - **Cause-based Costumes:** Increasing trend of individuals wearing unique costumes to draw attention to charitable causes. - **Creative Philanthropy:** Emerging trend of individuals finding creative and unconventional ways to raise money for charitable organizations. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Charitable Organizations:** Charitable organizations can explore partnering with individuals undertaking long-distance treks to raise funds and awareness. - **Costume Retail and Design:** Opportunity for costume designers and retailers to cater to the demand for unique costumes that support charitable causes. - **Adventure Tourism:** Adventure tourism industry can tap into the trend of individuals seeking unique and challenging treks for fundraising purposes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Highly Detailed Sci-Fi Costumes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stormtrooper-kit.md) - [Sci-Fi Franchise-Inspired Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-collection-2.md) - [Dark Sci-Fi Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darc-sport.md) - [Desert Planet Sci-Fi Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sands-of-tatooine-collection.md) - [Filmic Virtual Fitness Challenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-fitness-challenge.md) - [Forest Inspired Outerwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/endor-collection.md) - [Sci-Fi Game Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-fortnite.md) - [Sci-Fi Film-Inspired Custom Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lucasfilm.md) - [Sci-Fi Bath Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-bath-soap.md)