Leeds tattoo artist offers free ink for toy donations

James Williams, owner of Ink Kingz in West Yorkshire is offering free tattoos in exchange for toys

A Leeds tattoo artist is offering people a free inking in exchange for toys he can gift to disadvantaged children at Christmas.

Ink Kingz owner James Williams, who has studios in Leeds and Pontefract, said he wanted to try and ease the "burden" on parents.

He is running two events, one in Pontefract on Saturday and one in Leeds on 9 December.

He said last year he had received more than 600 toys to donate.

Mr Williams, 31, said all people have to do is donate a toy that is "clean and in good condition" then he or one of his 20-strong team will give them a free tattoo from a set of about 1,000 designs.

He added: "It will be like a conveyor belt of tattoos... last year I did it for 14 hours, with only one break.

"It was absolutely crazy - though people can donate toys without having a tattoo done.

"We had more than 600 toys to donate last Christmas."

Some of the toys that have already been donated to Mr Williams

He said he distributed the toys via Facebook, with families, predominantly from West Yorkshire, contacting him directly to tell them what they would like.

He said he would donate any extra toys to the local foodbank.

Mr Williams, who has two daughters aged five and three, said his own childhood was "horrendous", saying he "came from absolutely nothing".

"I used to be into drink and drugs until I turned my life around and in the past five years I have set up three businesses and employ 20 people," he said.

"If you have a good childhood, I believe you have a better chance in life.

"I do this because every child deserves a chance to be happy at Christmas."