2 March 2011

Following the success of the International Tattoo & Art Expo
(www.tattooart.co.nz) held at the new Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton on
February 19 & 20 and in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake disaster,
Tattooists from all over the country are holding a fundraising day, titled
Inked for Christchurch, this Sunday March 6 to raise money for their comrade
tattooists in Christchurch.

Seventeen studios around New Zealand are offering tattoos from as little as
a $60 minimum donation for pre-drawn designs. All tattooists are working
free of charge so every cent raised will be donated. No appointments are
necessary with tattoos to be chosen on the day and done on a first in first
served basis. Studios participating are based in Auckland, Hamilton,
Cambridge, Waihi, Stratford, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Hastings, Wellington,
Nelson, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
Jacob Cross and Nadine Bryant from Skinks Tattoo studio in Hamilton are
leading the fundraising efforts.

"Five artists from Christchurch were at a post tattooist expo retreat in
Raglan when the quake struck... two mothers away from their kids. Andrew
Swarbrick from Left Hand Path lost his studio and tattoo artist Matthew
Mceachen from Southern Ink Tattoo is one of the many to lose his life to
this natural disaster. We quickly decided we could use our skills to help
raise funds for funeral arrangements, rebuild businesses and get these
artists back up and running again" said Jacob Cross.
Tattoo Expo Event Manager Chris Preece said

"The Claudelands event brought the tattoo community together and we hope to
make this fundraiser just as successful and go some way towards comforting
and supporting our friends in Christchurch during through these sad times".

For those that don't wish to be tattooed, raffles, sausage sizzles, side
shows, music and donation buckets are operating throughout the day at
various studio/venues.

Local businesses are being asked to contribute where possible with donations
of sausages, bread and sauce (for sausage sizzles), T-shirts and printing
(to get memorial t-shirts produced for sale to the public) and any other
suitable items for raffles, spot prizes and giveaways.

For those that wish to contribute (including those that can't make the
event) Sue Moore, from Southern Ink and SINZ Tattoo Convention in
Christchurch, has set up a bank account to receive all fundraising monies
and donations.

ENDS

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