Couple aim to break tattoo world record in memory of son who died of cancer aged just two

By Tyler Mears

Mark and Lisa Richmond, who helped pioneer the art 'cremation tattoos' where ink is mixed with ashes, hope to create more than 826 tattoos in a day

The record attempt, in memory of Ayden Richmond (pictured), will take place at GOI tattoo parlour in Cardiff

 

 

A couple are attempting a world record for the most tattoos done in 24 hours to raise money for a children’s hospice that cared for their son in his final days.
Lisa Richmond and her husband Mark, from Tongwynlais , Cardiff , are hosting the world record attempt at their tattoo studio GOI in Llandaff North . Their son Ayden died from a rare form of children’s cancer at 29 months old in 2005.

He spent his last few days at the Acorns Children’s Hospice, which offers a network of care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families.
The couple have now decided to raise money for the hospice by holding a tattoo marathon and attempting to beat the Guinness World Record for the most tattoos done by one artist in 24 hours.

Aiming for more than 826 tattoos

The current record is held by an artist in America who completed 826 tattoos in a single day in 2013.
They plan to split the money they raise between the Acorns Children’s Hospice and Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff after also recently discovering that Mark’s mother has cancer.

Some of the tattoos available as part of the fundraiser

Lisa said: “We really want to break this record and raise money at the same time so the more support we get from the public on the day the better.
“The money we raise will go towards two charities which are very close to our hearts. My mother-in-law has cancer so some of it will go to Velindre.
“She has two tumours in her colon which have spread to her lymph nodes so she will be using the Velindre hospital a lot in the coming months.
“The other half of the money will go to the Acorns Children’s Hospice who cared for my boy before he passed away."

Cremation tattoo

She explained: “Ayden had a really rare form of children’s cancer and had a lot of things wrong with him.
“It was so rare that the doctors didn’t even have a name for it. But he couldn’t speak, hear or see, so we couldn’t even hear him say Mam or Dad.”

Ayden Richmond, who died from a rare form of cancer

After Ayden died, Mark come up with the idea of tattooing his ashes onto Lisa’s body. This made GOI Tattoo Studio the first in the UK to do ‘cremation tattoos’, where the ashes of loved ones are mixed with tattoo ink.
These tattoos have attracted a host of celebrity customers including Wayne Rooney, Kerry Katona, boxing champion Micheal Jennings, actor Stephen Graham and his actress wife Hannah Walters, and singer Daniel De Bourg – also known as DDB.
“The cremation tattoos have become really popular,” said Lisa.
“People have even had their pets ashes tattooed onto them, likes dogs and rabbits.
“It means a lot to people and a lot of people cry when they see them.”
24-hour marathon
The 24-hour marathon will start at midday on Saturday, October 31, and run until midday on Sunday, November 1.
“It will literally be going for 24 hours. We won’t be closing, having breaks or sleeping. The cafe next door is also staying open as long it can to serve people food and hot drinks,” Lisa said.


Tattoos will start from a minimum donation of £20 up to £40 and designs will include cancer ribbons, doves, hearts, quotes and Halloween tattoos.

They will also be holding a raffle with a top prize of £500 and an auction, where bids can be placed on their Facebook page to win a full sleeve tattoo worth £1,115.

 

  Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/couple-aim-break-tattoo-world-10309688