Transformers fan club raises more than £200,000 to feed schoolkids in developing countries

A group of sci-fi enthusiasts have raised more than £200,000 over the last decade to feed schoolkids in 17 countries.

Toy-Fu is a Scottish fan club for the Transformers franchise – it tracks down rare collectibles from the beloved films and sells them, donating the proceeds to Scottish charity Mary’s Meals.

It’s a way for the enthusiasts to support children in countries like Haiti, South Sudan and Ethiopia – while also indulging in their favourite pastime.

“Collecting toys can always come across as a materialistic thing,” Gavin Spence from Toy-Fu told STV News.

“But to know that what we’re doing with that hobby is doing some good in the world – you’re literally feeding kids.

“It’s almost overwhelming.”

Transformers is one of the world’s most popular science-fiction franchises. It’s set in a world at war between two alien robot factions – that can transform into vehicles and animals.

It sells figurines and toys that work like puzzles, and collectors can move different parts around to create a completely new figure.

For members of groups like Toy-Fu, they’re extremely valuable collectors’ items. Some have sold for up to 60,000 pounds at auction.

“Transformers is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – and I’m 42,” Gavin said.

“There hasn’t really been a time in my life where I haven’t been into it in some way, shape or form. That can be comics, or the toys, or TV shows etc.

Rare collectables are sold by fans, with the proceeds going to charity STV News

“I like big robots, in general – always loved big robots. If you put a big robot in a TV show or a film, I’ll probably go see it.

“The design and engineering that goes into the toys is always really interesting. Every time you get a new one, there’s a different way to solve the puzzle.”

Since its inception in 2009, Toy-Fu has raised over £200,000 for Mary’s Meals.

This summer alone, the group raised more than £36,000 at TF Nation, a Transformers fan convention in Birmingham.

Gemma Love, from Mary’s Meals, believes it would have been impossible to feed the 2.4 million children the charity supports without help from groups like Toy-Fu.

She said: “We wouldn’t be able to fund the work that we do … we’ve been able to expand our projects because of groups like Toy-Fu.

“We’re really grateful to them for their impact and their really integral support.”