A tattoo shop in Abertridwr is raising money for the Welsh Air Ambulance this weekend.
On Sunday, October 8, Jekyll and Hyde Tattoos, based on The Square in Abertridwr, will be extending its opening hours for a ‘flash day’ to fundraise for the Welsh Air Ambulance.
Owner and tattoo artist Rhys Anderson was inspired into action after his friend, Ben Longville, received emergency care by paramedics in August.
Ben suffered severe burns after an accident his father-in-law’s house in Trecenydd in August.
The 35-year-old was airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea by the Wales Air Ambulance, and says he was saved thanks to the quick attention of those attending.
He said: “I’ve previously got tattoos from Rhys, and we were just talking about my accident when he said it was crazy how they weren’t funded by a body and relied on donations. He mentioned doing something to raise money but I thought it was another idea which wouldn’t happen.
“Instead, it’s blown up after he posted on Facebook about the accident and the work that the Welsh Air Ambulance does.”
Between 10am and midnight, punters can get a flash tattoo – a typically small, generic or traditional tattoo – for £20, half of which will be donated to the Welsh Air Ambulance.
The charity claims it requires £6.5 million every year in donations to keep all four of its helicopters flying over Wales.
Ben added: “Loads of people have said they’ll be turning up. It’s amazing thing to do, not just for me, but for the charity too.
“It’s nice to see people in our local community showing their appreciation for the work these guys do. It’s a fun way to help give something back, and turn the most horrific experience of my life into something fantastic.”
Well done – supporting a very worthy cause.