Newbury tattooist 'overwhelmed' by response after offering free tattoos for NHS workers

A Newbury man has become positively overwhelmed with responses after offering to tattoo NHS heroes for free.

Lee Priddy recently designed special tattoos and announced a day designated to inking healthcare heroes.

He plans to provide the free service this February and within only a couple of days, things snowballed, and he now has hundreds of eager takers.

He said: “I had a couple of people messaging on the first day but it really took off on the second day.

“People were tagging each other in the posts. Around 100 to 200 people messaged.”

He added: “It’s incredible the support that I have had.

“The people messaging, they either want the tattoo or have messaged late and said I don’t know if you can still do it but thank you for doing this.”

Inspired by friends and their experiences working in the NHS, this is a chance for Mr Priddy to give something back in a creative way.

He added: “We are incredibly fortunate to have the NHS in the UK and all of the amazing staff, who have put their lives on the line, despite the risk of falling ill themselves.

The designs, intricate leaves woven into a heart shape, are a subtle nod to NHS workers without being too overtly NHS themed.

“I thought about doing something like a sea or a curve with the leaves, subtly related.

“I didn’t want it to be obvious, I thought a heart was a great symbol, with leaves. I’ve done a lot of floral nature designs.”

He said that if healthcare workers see someone in the street with a similar tattoo, it would be nice for them to recognise the design.

“If they’re out and about, they’ll oh think she’s a nurse too, it’s like a club.”

However, Mr Priddy didn’t expect the responses that he received.

“It’s just surreal. I am just giving something small back. It’s a small thing compared to what they have done. I say to them, I should be thanking you.

With more than 100 messages, the local tattooist is having to find a way to fulfil as many wishes as he can.

“I might even have to do one a week for the next couple of years.”

“I think, with the tattooists and artists, we can create our work. It is something that can be customised for any person or any cause.

“Artists can do some really cool things with situations like this.”

The free tattoos will be on offer on February 16 from 10am till late at Full Power Studios on London Road.

To book one of these tattoos, email fullpowerstudios@outlook.com or send a message on Instagram at @leepriddytattoo

Mr Priddy will be working from 10am “till late” so that he can attempt to “tattoo as many people as I can in the day”.