Space Station Pudsey 4

Space Station Pudsey 4 is coming to Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November, a fundraiser for BBC Children in Need that brings together Daleks, Cybermen and Starfleet Commanders. It's an intergalactic sci-fi gathering, and this is its fourth edition.

The whole thing has a long history that goes back to 1996. The original event was held at North Star House, which was a BT office building at the time, and was organised by BT Community Relations Manager Dave Latham. It was built around props including a Dalek made by BT engineer John Chapman, who'd got permission from the character's creator, Terry Nation. That first edition drew national BBC television and radio coverage and became a memorable part of that year's Children in Need appeal.

It's a family connection that's brought it back. When the 1996 fundraiser happened, Chapman's newborn daughter Zoe was featured in a BBC segment alongside Doctor Who actor Tom Baker. Zoe Rule and her husband Kirby are the ones bringing the event back now. They've both got a thing for the sci-fi side of things: their own wedding on 4 May this year was Star Wars-themed and attracted widespread media attention, and many of those wedding costumes were made by Zoe's father, who's remained closely involved in the project.

So, if you're into Doctor Who, Star Trek, or just want to see a Dalek in the middle of a shopping outlet, you'll find it at Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon (The Heart), Kemble Drive, SN2 2DY, on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November. It's all for BBC Children in Need.