Picture by: Alvin Toh

HE has spent more than $20,000 on Star Trek memorabilia.

And his passion for the hit TV series hasn't stopped there.

Mr James Lee, 36, also manages a website where die-hard fans gather to discuss their favourite show.

But now, organising activities for the 500 members is also part of his role as webmaster.

One such activity is participating in The New Paper Big Walk on 21 May.

So far, more than 12 members have signed up for this year's event. And they are spreading the word about the event through their forum.

They haven't yet decided whether they will turn out in Star Trek costumes this year.

The members are of all ages and come from all walks of life.

There are teenagers as well as adults, with the oldest member in his 70s.

The Singapore Star Trek fan group from StarTrek.com.sg has participated in the event for the last two years.

The Trekkies - or Star Trek fans - started participating in the Big Walk in a small way in 2004.

Then, Mr Lee, his wife and fellow Trekkie Shahul Hameed, 29, an IT team leader, and his wife participated.

Said Mr Lee, an accountant: "We participate in the Big Walk because it helps promote a healthy lifestyle.

"It's a good way to create strong friendship among the fans.''

Last year, more Trekkies joined them.

After Mr Shahul made a post on the forum about the Big Walk, more than 10 Trekkies signed up to participate.

On the event day, the group carried an eye-catching banner.

Said Mr Shahul: ""We carried our banner and played music from Star Trek. We were walking in the Big Walk T-shirt but modified it to suit our theme.''

Mr Lee added that the Big Walk was one of the most recent additions to the group's growing list of outdoor activities.

"In the past, outdoor activities used to be less popular among our members - but now we have events like hiking and paintball, and of course the Big Walk,'' he said.

However, the group's main focus remains the Star Trek TV series.

Their interests include Star Trek card game tournaments, costumes and Starship building.

There are fans who are interested in just about anything to do with Star Trek, Mr Lee said.

"I collect anything, and everything related to it - my collection so far has cost more than $20,000,'' he said.

Mr Lee told The New Paper that the group does not actively recruit members.

"After the Big Walk - or any other event we organise for our members - we always see an increase in the number of people signing into our forum,'' he said.

Said full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fahmi, 20, who participated in the Big Walk for the first time last year: "I enjoyed myself at last year's Big Walk - it was a great way to spend
the morning.''