A care home resident with multiple system atrophy (MSA) said she had a “great time” after getting her first tattoo and felt “glad” she could share the experience with her care home team, who got matching designs.
Alexa Peach, 56, a resident at Care UK’s Bishops Manor in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, diagnosed with MSA in January 2022, expressed her dream of getting her first tattoo of a peach design to pay homage to her name.
The care home team helped Ms Peach realise her wish and volunteered to get matching tattoos to raise money for the MSA Trust, a charity that funds research and supports those affected by the condition.
Ms Peach visited nearby tattoo parlour Vivid Ink, where she had the design tattooed on the upper part of her left arm by tattoo artist Summer, while ten members of the care home team also had peach designs tattooed on their bodies.
While the care home resident was initially apprehensive, she enjoyed the experience and said she was “overwhelmed” after raising £1,000 for the MSA Trust.
Ms Peach said: “I was nervous about getting my tattoo at first, but I loved the design and felt confident with Summer.
“I was glad I had team members to share the experience.
“I feel so overwhelmed by the amount raised for the MSA Trust and would like to thank every person who donated to the cause.
“I would also like to say a huge thank you to Vivid Ink for making us all feel so welcome. We had a great time!”
David Godfrey, manager at Vivid Ink, said: “I am glad the day went so smoothly, and we are honoured to be part of such a great cause.”
Care UK offers a match-funding scheme which took Ms Peach’s fundraising total from £1,000 to £2,000.
Thomas Bampfield, general manager at Bishops Manor, spoke of Ms Peach’s “fantastic sense of humour” and said the care home team was “honoured” to be part of the experience.
He said: “Alexa has a fantastic sense of humour, is constantly upbeat and inspires everyone who enjoys meeting her.
“The team jumped at the opportunity to help make her wish come true and raise funds for a cause close to her heart simultaneously.
“Here at Bishops Manor, we always want to build strong relationships with the charities that residents support and help them in any way we can.
“We are honoured to assist this charity, which we know will benefit from the donations received.”
He also thanked staff members for volunteering to get a tattoo and thanked those who donated.
He said: “We’d like to thank everyone who helped us accomplish our £800 goal. MSA Trust assists many families like Alexa across the UK, and we hope that our contributions will help them continue their essential work.
“I’d also like to thank all of the team members at Bishops Manor who volunteered to get tattooed alongside Alexa – this will be permanently inked in my mind!”
Eleanor Jarvis, events, community and digital fundraising officer from MSA Trust, said she was “blown away” by donations.
She said: “We were thrilled to be associated with such a creative fundraiser.
“We receive no government funding, so we are blown away by the amount raised. Thank everyone for their generosity and for making the event a success.
“A special thank you to the Bishops Manor and Vivid Ink team for making this happen.”