RAISING awareness of cancer is the aim of many fundraisers, but a special Okehampton fundraiser will give people the chance to make a more personal, permanent statement about the disease.

Asylum Tattoo Studio, run by Lee Kelly, is running their 'Get Inked for Cancer' campaign in November. It offers people the chance to get a cancer awareness ribbon tattoo for £15 per person in November.

All profits make from the venture will be split between Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. The meaning of each cancer ribbon is based on its colour or pattern, and those getting tattoos can choose its colour and additional designs or writing to accompany the ribbon design.

Lee, who started his apprenticeship in tattoo artistry 16 years ago, will carry out all the tattooing himself, aided by his team.

He said: 'The aim is to try and do one tattoo every 15 minutes or so, for a stream of six hours. That is intense and will be very difficult, but it is for a worthwhile cause.

'My nan and auntie have both survived cancer, and my nan has just been given the all clear.

'I've known a lot of people who have had cancer and died from it. Cancer charities always need funding and awareness.

'These tattoos will be a permanent reminder people have done their bit, and will constantly raise awareness for cancer charities.

'Hopefully it will help change some people's perceptions of tattoos as something just for hairy bikers, and will help overturn stereotypes, because that is not what tattooing is about at all.'

The first brave person to face the needle was Line Meffe of Hatherleigh. She now has a cancer ribbon with a butterfly tattooed on her shoulder.

'Cancer awareness is something that is close to me,' said Line.

'I had a cancer scare myself a few years ago, and had an operation to remove a mass.

'Luckily it was benign.

'My partner's mum had breast cancer, and there has been cancer in the family, so this is something I wanted to do and support.'

The tattoo studio at Fatherford Industrial Estate will be holding two main days for ribbon tattooing, on Saturday November 2 and Saturday November 9.

To find out more or to get a tattoo, call the studio on 07907 761993.