Toys for tattoos: Stockton tattooist swaps body art for donations

Tattooist Liam Enisz gave away free body art as part of a festive toy appeal

A tattooist's toy appeal will bring festive cheer to dozens of children this Christmas.

Undead Art's Liam Enisz offered free tattoos in exchange for donations to the Salvation Army's annual toy appeal.

After being inundated with responses, he tattooed a range of designs on 20 people at the weekend.

In return, the Stockton-based artist received more than 60 gifts that will be given to youngsters who may not otherwise receive a Christmas present.

Mr Enisz said: "It was a brilliant day, with people coming in to drop off presents even when they weren't being tattooed.

"It was very busy and I was so tired at the end, but everyone was so supportive and the response was very positive."

The most popular designs tattooed on the day were 'angel numbers', which are sequences of numbers believed to carry meaning.

One of the designs Liam Enisz tattooed during the charity event at Undead Art

The tattooist hopes his efforts will make a difference to some of the hundreds of Teesside children in poverty this Christmas.

He said: "I heard those numbers and they were so shocking that I wanted to do something to help."

The tattooist was inundated with support and collected gifts from across the community for the Salvation Army toy appeal

Mr Enisz has also collected donations of toys from businesses across Teesside.

They will be given to Stockton's Salvation Army Citadel, which will distribute them as part of its annual appeal.

The Salvation Army's Major Ian Davis said the event was an unusual way of contributing to the appeal, but that it highlighted the generosity of Stockton's diverse community.

He added: "We were very surprised to begin with, but Undead Art's help is a lovely gift that we're so grateful for.

"We rely on people within our community supporting these efforts, and when folks like this come forward it's a great blessing to us.

"It really speaks to us about the community heart of Stockton, and how we find it wherever we go."

The huge response to the initial proposal led to the event being held by appointment only. Mr Enisz was compelled to turn away so many people that he is already in the process of organising similar charity drives with the support of other artists at the Twisted Nostalgia tattoo studio, where Undead Art is based.