Hundreds of people are now displaying simple but powerfully symbolic tattoos that demonstrate love and hope to those struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-harm.

And it’s all thanks to the efforts of a Newport Pagnell tattoo studio - Pigments Tattoo & Piercing.

Husband and wife team Guy and Farina Anderson wanted to show their support of Oxford Health’s mental health services and suicide prevention work and decided to put on special ‘semicolon’ tattoo fundraiser.

For every person having one of their creations £10 was donated to Oxford Health Charity which fundraises to support and enhance the services the trust runs in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and parts of Somerset. Money raised also went to Milton Keynes Mind.

During the 12-hour inkathon, people queued round the block to show their support and get a tattoo, raising almost £1,500 for OHC.

The donation will go to Marlborough House, a secure mental health unit at Milton Keynes Hospital, and on suicide prevention work in the community.

Guy, pictured above, said: “We want to give back to the community and supporting the NHS is very important to us. Having a semicolon is such a symbolic statement. In punctuation it is used when an author could have ended a sentence, but they chose not to. By having a semicolon tattoo you are also saying to the world your story is not over and that it’s ok not to be ok.”

Guy is still creating semicolon tattoos at the studio in Union Street by appointment. You need to be 18 and bring along photo ID.

 Julie Pink, community involvement manager at Oxford Health, said: “We are so grateful to Guy and his team at Pigments Tattoo & Piercing. With this fabulous donation we can enhance the experience of patients, carers, families and staff involved with our services.”

If you’re interested in fundraising for Oxford Health Charity, whether it’s tattooing, sky diving, cycle rides, runs or treks get in touch and we can support you.

For more information, visit the https://www.oxfordhealth.charity/Appeals/Post