People are getting bee tattoos to show solidarity and raise money for Manchester victims

An appeal has been launched by Manchester tattoo artists to raise money for the victims of, and families affected by the Manchester suicide bombing.

Artists are offering tattoos of a bee for £50, using the iconic symbol of Manchester to show solidarity after the attack.

The appeal was originally started by artist, Sam Barber, who is based in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester. She said on Tuesday:

“I woke up this morning to find out what had happened and I was in complete shock. My heart sank reading about the casualties and all those affected, I felt helpless, like ‘what can I do?!’

“I was born in Manchester and have lived here my whole life, same as generations of my family. It’s a city close to my heart. We are strong and caring people here in Manchester and will prevail, if any city can get through a time like this it is ours. We will not be divided.”

She explained that the worker bee was an “obvious choice” as it’s printed “all over the city, on bridges, pavements, lampposts, bins, buildings and even in our coat of arms, and it is now seen as a proud emblem for people of Manchester.”

There has been a massive response from the tattoo community, with not only studios throughout Greater Manchester pledging to take part, but studios as far as Australia declaring their support, making the Manchester worker bee tattoo a global tribute.

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Tattoo artists including Sam and Chorlton-based tattoo parlour Sacred Art will be coming together on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th to tattoo bees, with an expected 1,700 people planning to visit Sacred Art alone. The manager, Vent Brewer said:

“I think people just don’t know what to do, and they want to do something. They want to give, but they don’t know where to give, and they don’t know who to give to.

“The bee and getting this tattoo will make people feel as though they’re making a contribution towards a peaceful resolution.

“The response has been overwhelming. I’d like to see a load of people outside the studio on Sunday morning feeling as though they’re part of something. I think its easy to feel detached with something like this and I think that’s why some people actively pursue ways of making a contribution.”

We spoke to Dominique Skolosdra, a Newcastle student from Manchester, who got the tattoo yesterday. She said: “Obviously the project was started by the tattoo artists in Manchester, but They were too busy for when I’d be down, so one in Newcastle did it for me.

“In the midst of a tragedy I found it incredible to look at what an amazing and supportive city I come from. Of course natural instinct from anyone would be to provide help to any of those affected. I saw a few posts by tattoo artists in Manchester saying they’d take £50 donations in return for the workers bee. An avid lover of tattoos and one that would forever hold a significant meaning I knew that was exactly how I would help. The demand seemed insane for the weekend so I managed to get it done in the city that I studied free of charge and then we donated the money to the JustGiving page online.

“Proud and blessed to see the people of Manchester and all over the world coming together in such a dark time. One love.”

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For information on where you can get your bee tattoo, please visit the Manchester Tattoo Appeal Facebook page. Studios from all over the country are taking part, including Manchester, York, Bournemouth, Cheltenham, Belfast and Derbyshire. All money raised will go to the victims of, and families affected by the Manchester suicide bombing.