A Macclesfield tattoo business have raised awareness and hundreds of pounds for charity in the name of suicide awareness. 

Paul and Nicola Holden, owners of Pin Up & Ink on Park Lane, held a suicide awareness event at their studio which started last week. Paul explained his connection to the cause:

"I wanted to get involved as I have personal experience of suicidal thoughts due to mainly online trolling and bullying," said Paul. 

"I know people who have gone through the same things, some of whom have sadly taken their own lives."

In 2020, a staggering 5,224 deaths relating to suicide were recorded in England and Wales. 

With the rise of social media platforms and a mass of 'online trolling', mental health has become a global concern affecting all ages and genders.

The event, organised by Suicide Awareness Protection UK (SAPUK), is being held at over 140 participating studios including international and UK based areas. 

A semicolon tattoo is a universal message of solidarity against suicide, depression, and more mental health issues.

Over two days last week, Pin Up & Ink showcased their talents by tattooing a semicolon for just £10, with at least £5 of each session going towards suicide awareness. 

"As soon as I announced the event on social media, the response was amazing, I quickly realised the one-day event was not going to be enough. So, I decided to do 3 days to accommodate as many people as I could.

"For Sunday April 10 we were open as a special one off to complete the event."

"We are hoping to raise awareness in any way we can and hopefully the semicolon tattoo will be symbolic, and get people talking about what has been generally a taboo subject."

The last day to get a semicolon charity tattoo at Pin Up & Ink was on Sunday. 

Paul is a self-taught tattooist and has been in the profession for over four years, the studio has been based in Macclesfield for just over four years.

Paul hard at work with one of almost 45 semicolon tattoos he inked on customers for charity.

Participating in the suicide awareness event is a cause close to Paul, he spoke candidly on why he wanted to get involved, despite being asked to participate just days before the event started.

"I have been subject to a lot of online abuse, hatred and threats which deeply affected my own mental health," he explained.

"I almost gave up and let negativity beat me, but with the support of my wife I didn't give up.

"It took us 12 months to get the shop we have now, and have been here for nearly four years and have so many amazing people supporting us. We are very proud to be working with SAPUK".

The annual event has now made its way into the heart of local tattooists Paul and Nicola Holden. 

They expressed their interest to continue the event in upcoming years and are hoping to be involved in further events.

"We have already agreed to take part in this event every year going forward, and we are the only studio that took part in the area," he added.

In total, they raised over £220 in total last Sunday. 

Paul gave almost 45 people a charity tattoo. And plans to do it all again next year. 

Paul has lived in Macclesfield for most of his life,

Pin Up & Ink Limited is located on 29 Park Lane, opposite Paradise Mill. 

As well as tattoos, the business also sells high quality vintage clothing.

Their regular opening hours are as follows: 

Monday 9am–6pm

Tuesday 9am–6pm

Wednesday 9am–6pm

Thursday 9am–6pm

Friday 9am–6pm

Saturday 9am–6pm

Sunday Closed

Macclesfield: You can follow them on Facebook, where they recently passed 1000 followers.

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