One of the central questions in Star Wars: The Force Awakens concerns the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker. Youâll have to see the movie to get those answers. But as for Mark Hamill, heâs exactly where he needs to be.
During a promotional tour for The Force Awakens, Hamill declined to appear on The Graham Norton Show with his castmates and instead spent his time visiting sick children at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
âStar Wars movies are meant to be a couple of hours of diversion from reality, and we need that,â explained Hamill during an interview with The Independent. âThey are optimistic and hopeful stories. But in comparison to what we can do with this [the hospital], last night [the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens] is very trivial.â
Hamill reportedly met dozens of patients and hospital staff members during his visit, including Jake Morgan (pictured below), a four-year-old boy recovering from a kidney transplant.
âIt was great to meet Mark,â said Samantha Morgan, Jakeâs mother. âWe always watch the films. My brother Scott is a huge fan â he made me watch them when I was little. He is going to be amazed.â
The Independent is running a fundraising campaign for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), which will receive matching funds from the United Kingdomâs government. Hamill also voiced his support for the GOSH campaign.
âOne of the greatest things I am given because of the profession I am in is the ability to give back,â said Hamill. âIt feels wonderful. It can be harrowing emotionally because your heart goes out to these children but itâs also very uplifting. You walk away thinking being an actor is so trivial compared to helping needy children.â
Thanks for the check-up Oscar!And to @GreatOrmondSt for inviting me. Happy Holidays to all the boys&girls. Love,mh pic.twitter.com/yD7TDjjvJh
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) December 22, 2015
To learn more about the GOSH campaign, visit this link.
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HT: The IndependentÂ
Image Credits:Â The Independent/Alex Lentati
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