A group of tattooists from across Northern Ireland are aiming to spread some festive cheer to struggling families this Christmas with a unique big-hearted festive fundraiser.
This year will see the third 'Tattoos for Toys' campaign in which tattoos are offered in return for donations for toys. All the money raised will go towards buying toys for local kids this Christmas.
Over the past two years, the kind gesture by the tattooists has raised almost £10,000 for the St Vincent de Paul and Samaritans charities.
Read more: Belfast children's centre plea for support with Christmas donation drive
James Conway, who runs his own studio in Belfast city centre, is one of those who has been helping to spread festive cheer to those less fortunate.
It all started when James and his crew from the Skull And Bones Tattoo Society on North Street in the city centre organised a raffle to win a £100 tattoo voucher to spend at the studio.
Tickets are just £10 and all proceeds go towards buying toys for local families in need. The campaign soon gathered momentum with many other studios wanting to take part.
James told Belfast Live: "We had seven tattoo businesses take part in the fundraiser last year where each shop did a raffle for a tattoo voucher to a certain value and people paid £10 to take part.
"The raffle ends about a week before Christmas and then the various shops use the money to buy toys so they can be distributed to struggling families in time by the local St Vincent de Paul and Samaritans branches.
"Some of the stores helped us out with discounts so we were able to stretch the fundraiser out a bit further. It all started three years ago during the pandemic and the two charities said at the time that they were aware of around 800 families within Belfast in need of help.
"They asked specifically for toys and at the time no one was able to do drop offs due to Covid and many people were also out of work or on furlough so it was bleak enough at the time."
He added: "I know things are even tighter this year due to the high cost of living and the recession so we want to keep this going until times hopefully start to get better. We'll be grateful for every entry - it all helps.
"It doesn't really cost me anything to do the winning tattoo when we've raised a few grand for others less fortunate in the process."
Anyone who wishes to take part in the 'Tattoos for Toys' campaign can do so via the Skull & Bones Tattoo Society Belfast pages on Facebook and Instagram.
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