May the force be with her.

When Star Wars fan Julie MacNaughton accepted the ultimate challenge – to have her hair cut and dyed in the style of intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett – she expected to raise a few hundred pounds for charity.

But by the end of the day the unusual “hair dare” had brought in a planet-sized £17,120, with the money going to Hollybank Trust in Mirfield where Julie is head of fundraising.

Read more: A Star Wars hairstyle? Boba Fett? A Jedi craves not these things but Julie MacNaughton does

It was raised through donations, a raffle for a basket of Star Wars goodies and signed artwork by Scottish artist Gary Erskine, whose designs have graced an array of comics including Star Wars.

Julie with Boba Fett and Julie's hair from the back

And members of the UK Garrison, a band of fans who support good causes by turning up in costume as Star Wars characters, helped out.

The day ended with an event for friends, fans and supporters – who travelled from as far afield as Dubai – at Bradford’s Cedar Court Hotel.

Hotel residents were surprised when two Imperial Stormtroopers, an Ewok, a Knight of Ren and Boba Fett himself were seen patrolling the bar area “persuading” customers to part with their cash. One guest was also “held to ransom”, further boosting the coffers.

Star Wars fan Julie MacNaughton, head of fundraising at Hollybank Trust in Mirfield, is to have her hair cut and dyed in the style of notorious inter-galactic bounty hunter Boba Fett. She is pictured with the actor who played the character, Jeremy Bulloch.

The fundraising idea was born out of a dare from fellow fans and staff at Hollybank, who knew of Julie’s devotion to Star Wars and Boba Fett in particular. The hairdo – which copied Boba Fett’s helmet of five colours - was created free of charge by stylist Nichola Garland at Headlines Hair & Beauty Salon in Cleckheaton and took two hours to complete.

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Lifelong Star Wars aficionado Julie, 51, said: “We are all thrilled by the amount raised. A lot of people gave their time for free to make this event happen, not least Nichola and the wonderful people at the UK Garrison. No one thought we would make so much. It just goes to show how generous people can be.”

Star Wars character Boba Fett, played by Jeremy Bulloch, is a bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader. He appears in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

Anyone who wishes may still donate to Julie’s challenge - click here to donate. In addition Hollybank can take credit card donations by phone, by cash or online.