Star Trek: New Voyages, the online Star Trek saga that picks up where the original series ended in what would have been the "fourth year", is raising funds for the families of the seven astronauts who died when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated a year ago this month.

The Indianapolis Star posted a new article (originally published in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram) on 5yearmission.com, the web site that hosts the episodes of the continuing series, in which original series star William Shatner praised the efforts of the fans involved with the Space Shuttle Children's Trust Fund.

"I think it's a wonderful thing for the fans of a science-fiction space show to give real money to real people in a loving desire to help," said the Captain Kirk actor.

James Cawley, an executive producer of the series who plays Kirk in the episodes, said that the characters have become so iconic, like James Bond or Batman, that different actors can play the parts.

Gareth Conway, media liaison for the Space Shuttle Children's Trust Fund, called the vision of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek "tantamount to what many believe the explorations of the heavens might be."

The producers hope to raise $250,000 to donate to the Space Shuttle Children's Trust Fund on the 38th anniversary of the first Star Trek episode, September 8th of this year.

The Indianapolis Star article is here. Episodes may be downloaded at 5yearmission.com. Information about the Space Shuttle Children's Trust Fund is here.

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