Tattoos help Inverness-based charity Mikeysline
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CUSTOMERS at a tattoo parlour raised more than £400 for a suicide prevention charity after getting a symbolic semicolon tattoo.
About 40 people took part in the event at InkHut Tattoo in Merkinch, which invited customers to give a donation in lieu of payment for Inverness-based Mikeysline.
The design is recognised worldwide as being symbolic for raising awareness of suicide.
It represents a person’s decision to continue by choosing a semicolon, instead of a full stop.
InkHut proprietor Kjell Harila and his fiancée, Laura Donaldson, have personal insight into the issue of suicide through family members.
“We thought it would be a good thing to do,” Mr Harila said.
“We gave away our time and needles for this event.
“Many of the people coming in had a connection with suicide either through family or friends.”
They handed over the proceeds to Ron Williamson who helped to establish the Mikeysline textline service for those struggling to cope.
Mr Williamson has the semicolon tattooed on his forearm and said it was a recognised symbol used by survivors and others for raising awareness.
