The third annual Tattoo-a-thon will make its debut across the globe on Friday, June 6.
“The overseas interest in Tattoo-a-thon, based on the past two year’s events, clearly indicates that this event is wanted on the international stage,” said project organiser Jordan Gray.
“We have, therefore, invited several international studios to join in this year’s event.”
The event will hit South African shores again, with tattoo studios in eight cities around the country tattooing for this worthy cause.
It is hoped the event will raise R750 000 for the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC), by generating a record 1 500 tattoos in one day, across the world.
CHOC’s goal is to improve the welfare and quality of care of children with cancer.
As a non-profit organisation, CHOC relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and some caring companies, as well as fundraising projects such as the Tattoo-a-thon, which are essential in generating much needed funds.
These vital funds allow CHOC to continue providing support to the children and their families and, above all, to help them keep more than hope alive.
The Tattoo-a-thon will feature talented tattoo artists from top studios in South Africa, such as Wildfire Tattoos, Electric Eye, Metal Machine, and Fallen Heroes.
All tattoos will be a set size, based on an hour’s work, and will cost only R700.
Temporary tattoos will also be sold at R10 each.
These will allow people who do not want permanent ink and children to be involved.
Participants can book their tattoo directly with the tattoo studio, and can visit www.tattooathon.co.za to find the participating studios in their areas.
Germiston-based tattoo parlour Burnt Black will represent the city in the event.
The GCN spoke to Brad Pretorious and Alastair Magee, of Burnt Black, to find out how they got involved in this event.
This is the first year that the two have been involved in the Tattoo-a-thon.
The event is open to all registered and interested studios that fit the criteria set out by CHOC.
“This is a cause close to our hearts, as we have both lost our fathers to cancer, so, for us, it isn’t about making a profit, it’s about raising as much money and awareness for this cause as we can,” said Magee.
For this reason the boys at Burnt Black hope to focus on cancer-related tattoo designs.
“We are not limiting people to just cancer related tattoo designs, they are welcome to have any design that will fit into an hour, we just want to focus on cancer, as that is the theme of the event,” Magee added.
“We have designed a number of tattoos related to CHOC and the Tattoo-a-thon and are more than willing to customise designs for individuals.”
Booking for this event is preferred, as it allows the artists time to prepare each tattoo, though walk-ins are welcome.
“The pre-bookings will allow us time to get ready, so that each person has their full hour,” Pretorious said.
“Design time and prepping can take away from your hour, and we don’t want to rush any tattoo.”
As with any tattoo, the Tattoo-a-thon tattoos will be covered by Burnt Black’s guarantee.
“We take pride in our work and try to ensure that our tattoos seldom need touch-ups,” Pretorious added.
“People often worry that, with events such as these, they won’t get the best quality.
“We don’t want people to think like that, hence our normal guarantee on our tattoos will stand.”
The studio will open at 8.30am on Friday, June 6 and will run the event through to Saturday, June 7, to generate as much traffic as possible.
“If the pre-bookings go through the night we will work through the night,” said Magee.
“We want people to walk away from the experience saying I donated R700 to a great cause and got a tattoo to prove it.”
To book your tattoo for the event, call Pretorious on 072 394 6867, or Magee on 074 493 4355, or visit the shop at the corner of First Avenue and Webber Road, in Lambton (the studio can be found upstairs).
To see their work, visit their Facebook page, Burnt Black, or visit their personal Instagram accounts, with #burntblack.
“Focus on supporting this cause,” said Magee.
“We don’t care which tattoo studio you go to, as long as you support the cause.”
“Pre-book and give us time to make your tattoo your own,” said Pretorious.
