A tattoo artist found a creative way to inspire his customers to get into the holiday spirit by donating to a good cause.
Liam Enisz, the tattoo artist at Undead Art in Stockton, United Kingdom, offered to do designs on people in exchange for them dropping off Christmas presents for the Stockton Citadel Salvation Army location, he told BBC News.
“It was a brilliant day, with people coming in to drop off presents even when they weren’t being tattooed,” Enisz told the outlet.
Stockton tattoo artist swaps body art for donations to the Salvation Army's festive toy appealhttps://t.co/qddAZNIIM1
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Enisz explained that he was inspired to make a difference after hearing how many children living in poverty in Teesside, in northern England, during the Christmas season.
As of 2022, more than 37,000 children in Teesside were reported to be living under the poverty line in March 2021. This represented an increase from 33,503 children living under the poverty line in March 2020.
“I heard those numbers and they were so shocking that I wanted to do something to help,” Enisz told the outlet.
After being inundated with responses, he tattooed a range of designs on 20 people that weekend. In return, he received more than 60 gifts that will be given to youngsters.
Enisz revealed he also collected toy donations from businesses located throughout Teesside.
Toys collected will go towards the Stockton Citadel Salvation Army and will be distributed to children as part of its annual campaign.
Major Ian Davis with the Salvation Army is thankful for the “help” given by Enisz’s business in order to raise awareness for their cause.
“We were very surprised to begin with, but Undead Art’s help is a lovely gift that we’re so grateful for,” Davis told the outlet.