Romford tattoo shop to donate takings to stillbirth charity Sands
Ian and Ruth Stokes, with 2 year-old daughter Daisy. - Credit: Archant
A tattoo shop is due to donate a day’s takings to charity after its manager’s baby was stillborn.
Cult Classic Tattoo in North Street, Romford, will be tattooing customers in support of stillbirth charity Sands after manager Ian Stokes, 32, of Romford, and his wife Ruth Stokes, had a stillborn child in May.
The baby, who they named Charlie, developed in the womb without any kidneys, leaving the couple to face the traumatic ordeal of stillbirth.
Mr Stokes and his wife sought the help of Sands, who provide support to parents dealing with the experience, and wanted to give something back - with the backing of Cult Classic owner and tattooist Aaron Hewitt.
Mr Stokes, who’s been manager at Cult Classic Tattoo for five years, said: “It’s obviously hard to want to carry on but you’ve got to get on with it. We’re picking ourselves up and doing something positive.”
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He added: “I wanted to do something different - instead of a fun run or something like that.”
The event, due to take place on September 21, will offer customers a range of tattoos to choose from ranging between £50 and £100.
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The tattoo shop manager said of the charity: “It’s nice to know that someone else has been through the same thing - the whole experience changes your life.
“They’ve been amazing, it means you don’t have to carry the burden on your own as there’s people out there that can help.”
Shop owner Mr Hewitt, who is good friends with Mr Stokes, happily obliged and is supporting the tattoos for charity event.
Mr Stokes said: “He’s been supportive and he’s the most generous person in the world. I know if the shoe was on the other foot that I’d do it for him.”
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