A mum of two from Leeds is offering women who have suffered with breast cancer a free tattoo to cover up their scars.
Kate Challinor, who works as a freelance tattoo artist, wants to help survivors regain their confidence after their cancer battle. She is doing this by offering them free mastectomy and breast reconstruction tattoos.
Although Kate hasn’t had cancer, she has struggled with her own health and sees this as a way of helping other people .
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The mother of two was left wheelchair bound in her 20s and 30s after having 10 surgeries over a decade due to a condition that weakened her bones. Kate, from Kippax, still struggles with chronic pain and arthritis.
During that time, she turned to art, which has always been her passion, to create her own gallery which was successful and led her to work with a celebrity chef.
In 2018, following encouragement from friends and family she learnt how to tattoo as a side hustle but within six months she had picked up a tattoo licence and studio.
Speaking to LeedsLive, she said she covered her own scars from surgery.
The 43-year-old said: “I haven’t had breast cancer but I did have 10 surgeries over 10 years and was wheelchair bound for a long time in my 20's and 30's. I had to start again and find my purpose and who I am.
"Chronic pain is boring and rubbish, it doesn’t go away, you have to find a way to live with it.
“Every person has a story. The first time I did it, the lady cried. She couldn’t look at herself in the mirror (before her tattoo) and I said to her I would do it for free.
“Breasts are a big part of your identity as a woman,” she continued. “It’s about trying to give the women that confidence back and self worth after what they’ve been through.
“It’s also about gaining the trust as well and having that emotional support.
“A tattoo is a luxury some people can’t afford. It’s not something I want to gain from (financially).”
Kate works from her home studio in Kippax but does the voluntary work twice a week as she juggles it alongside her tattoo career.
She is hoping to expand the service to cover scars for people who have self-harmed in the future.
She continued: “I’m trying to use my talent for good, it’s nice to give back especially if you have been through stuff. I feel thankful everyday.
“Some people will have two or three sessions to get the tattoos finished.
“I’ve got some consultations coming up, not everyone will come though, it’s heartbreaking as some people are still in chemo or they’re not ready for the tattoo.”
If you would like to get in contact with Kate, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram. Her Username is Challinor Body Art or you can call 07883 678992.
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