BRAVE fundraisers have been doing their bit for weapons awareness charity by getting tattoos in memory of a Clacton teenager.

More than 50 people were inked with Cookie Monster tattoos in memory of Jay Whiston, who was stabbed to death at a house party in September last year.

Jay had a Cookie Monster tattoo himself and this was seen as a fitting way to remember the teen and raise anti-knife awareness.

On both Saturday and Sunday there were two 12 hour tattoo sessions at ‘Let it be Tattoo’s’ in Old Road, Clacton.

Jay’s mum Caroline Shearer said: “It was fantastic to see so many people taking part – they had tattoos on their arms, chests, necks and even their bums.

“Most of Jay’s friends have already had them, so these were mainly people who just wanted to support what we are doing.

“It was the tattoo artist Stygh’s idea to have a tattoo marathon and as soon as we told people about it we received a lot of interest.

“Even a middle-aged woman and a little old man came in.”

The event raised £535 for the Only Cowards Carry Weapons awareness campaign. Each tattoo cost £15 and people had them done in black and grey or in blue and black.