Tattoo fundraiser helps raise cash in Kieran's memory

Dad and tattoo artist Chris MacFarlane (38) raised £1,400 to thank the charities that helped his son Kieran Brydges, who died last month, at an open day at his business S62 Tattoo on Friday.

He had originally aimed to raise £1,000 for the Sick Children’s Trust and Rays of Sunshine but, after doing around 20 different themed tattoos, he has now set a £3,000 target with another fundraiser planned for Hallowe’en.

“It went really well,” said Chris, of Spalton Road, Parkgate. 

“We are at £1,400 already and I had around 20 people in.

“We were hoping for £1,000 initially but I thought why not push the boat out and go for £3,000?”

Chris and business partner Amy Bellamy will be joined at the fundraiser on October 31 by Mike Frankum and Alex Berry, of Stef’s Custom Tattoos in Bolton, who he helped with the Manchester Bee tattoo appeal they launched after the Manchester Arena bombing in May.

“If I can do £1,000 on my own then we should be able to do a further £1,600 between four of us,” Chris said.

Rawmarsh Comprehensive School pupil Kieran suffered from pulmonary lymphangiectasia — a rare condition which causes lymph glands to produce too much fluid and attacks the immune system.

He spent seven months at Leeds General Infirmary and battled the condition for nine-months before finally admitting to his dad he had “had enough of fighting”.

Chris said four surgeons and 20 nurses from ward L42 where he was treated had attended Kieran’s funeral last month.

“He had a proper good send-off to be fair, which was really nice to see,” he said.

The fundraising event on Tuesday, October 31, will run at the Broad Street parlour from 8am until 8pm.

For more information or to book a slot search for S62 Tattoo on Facebook. A walk-in service will also be available on the day.