Tattoo flash day in aid of Community Mind Matters at Ink Warrior in New Road, Spalding

A tattooist will be raising money for a mental health cause.

Lutero Mariano, known as Louie, is going to be supporting Community Mind Matters with a ‘flash day’ at the Ink Warrior Studio in Spalding, on Friday, December 13.

He is inviting people to walk in from 10am to choose a small tattoo for £30 in order to ‘give something back to the community.’

Mr Mariano, who is originally from Brazil and has run the shop for eight years, hopes to raise between £300- £500 for the group, which was founded by Vanessa Browning to help people suffering with depression or anxiety.

He said: “It is amazing how people will tell you stuff when you don't even know them.

“People open up all the time so you have got to be a good listener.

“You're in that person's personal space - people open up to us about things they wouldn't tell their friends or family - this is a safe space.”

Mr Mariano, 44, and his team Lucy, Kai, Livia, Sarah and Pedro will be on hand throughout the day and everyone is welcome.

He said: “We cater for a lot of people and make sure everyone is taken care of.

“We will be doing little tattoos for people to feel better about themselves - such as words or affirmations - and offering small designs at a discounted price.

“It is important to support the community and it is good to help people with mental health.”

Vanessa is an advocate for mental health and arranges activities within the community and has a butterfly tattoo to symbolise her own mental health struggles.

She said: “Most of my tattoos are to do with my mental health - in a really good way.

“To me it was about changing - tattoos are art and you either like them or you don't - but mine are about change.

“Louis has been really supportive with a lot of my clients and understands mental health - it is a lovely shop and very welcoming.”

There will be a board with lots of different designs and a previous flash day proved popular with people ‘queuing up around the corner’.

For further details visit Insta - Ink Warrior UK or email inkwarrioruk@hotmail.com

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