AN event taking place in a Bude tattoo parlour this February will promote awareness of suicide and raise money for the newborn son of a local man.

Eldmer Gill of Tidy Tattoo in Bude will be offering tattoos of the suicide awareness ribbon at a discounted price over two days on February 5 and 6, in memory of Ricky Gamage who went missing over the Christmas period.

Twenty-three-year-old Ricky of Bude was first reported missing on December 28. The body of a man was discovered by police at Widemouth Bay on Friday, January 10.

Ricky was a regular customer at Tidy Tattoo, and it was a huge blow to tattoo artist Eldmer when he heard Ricky had gone missing.

Speaking more about the tattoo event in February, Eldmer told the Post: “It’s the least I can do in memory of Ricky. He was a beautiful soul who spent many hours in my room being tattooed and a character who will be so sadly missed.

“You build a beautiful relationship with clients, especially ones that are regulars, so I was deeply saddened to hear about Ricky.”

Mental health and suicide has been, for a long time, a taboo subject — but more and more people are beginning to speak out, and it is hoped that by tattooing the suicide awareness ribbon, more people will be encouraged to talk.

Eldmer said: “It’s a subject that needs more promotion as, with mental health, which thankfully is getting put out there more, too many of us suffer in silence and more importantly unnoticed. I guess we never really know a painted smile.

“I want to let people know that no matter how deep a scar or whatever they are going through, there is help out there, just make the step — and I know that’s easier said than done.”

The event, which will charge £30 for a tattoo when Eldmer’s prices normally start at £40, will also raise money for Ricky’s newborn son, Louis, who was born in January.

Eldmer added: “Hopefully we can raise as much as possible for Ricky’s son and promote awareness. The two days have been booked solid — 34 in so far, back-to-back — but I have other days I can do for others too, and can be messaged on Tidy Tattoo on Facebook.”

The event is also being organised by Ricky’s step-sister, Nicole, who explained that the family are hoping to do all they can to support Ricky’s son as he grows up.

Nicole said: “Ricky absolutely loved his tattoos so we thought it was a good way to raise money for his son who he never met — Louis.

“Louis was born early January, on the fifth. We know full well that Ricky would have fallen in love with Louis as soon as he met him, so we want to try and provide as much as we can for Louis so he knows that there is an entire community and Ricky’s family that are here for him and love him as he grows older.”

To find out more about the event, or to check booking availability for a tattoo, message Eldmer on the Tidy Tattoo Facebook page.