Tats a new one! Care home team and resident get matching tattoos for unique fundraiser

A Sutton Coldfield care home team decided to get tattooed for charity in tribute to one of the residents.

After a resident was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), team members at Care UK's Bishops Manor, on Jockey Road, took part in a one-of-a-kind event to raise money and awareness for the MSA Trust.

56-year-old Alexa Peach, a resident at Bishops Manor, was diagnosed with MSA in January 2022 and later moved into Bishops Manor. After she moved in, the team discovered Alexa had always wanted to get a tattoo – and they soon set about making her wish become a reality.

To demonstrate their support, the team decided to raise funds for a MSA charity by volunteering to get a tattoo with Alexa. She chose the MSA Trust, which funds research into the condition and provides support to those affected. 

Bishops Manor teamed up with Vivid Ink tattoo studio in Sutton Coldfield, who gifted them a whole day in the studio free of charge. Alexa decided on a peach design created by tattoo artist Summer.

On the day, Alexa and ten team members had peaches tattooed onto their bodies and raised over £1,000 for the MSA Trust. Care UK are set to donate an additional £1,000 through its match-funding scheme which will take the total to £2,000. 

Alexa said: “I was nervous getting my tattoo at first, but I loved the design and felt confident with Summer. I was glad I had team members with me to share the experience. 

“I feel so overwhelmed by the amount raised for the MSA Trust and would like to thank each and 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!” 

Thomas Bampfield, General Manager at Bishops Manor, said: “Alexa has a fantastic sense of humour; she is constantly upbeat; and she inspires everyone who has the pleasure of 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 at the same time.

"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.  

"We'd like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped us accomplish our £800 goal! MSA Trust assists many families like Alexa's 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 is definitely something that will be permanently inked in my mind!"  

Eleanor Jarvis, Events, Community and Digital Fundraising Officer from MSA Trust, commented: “We were thrilled to be associated with such a creative fundraiser, we receive no government funding whatsoever and so we are blown away by the amount raised and thank everyone for their generosity and for making the event a success, a special thank you to the team at Bishops Manor and Vivid Ink for making this happen.”

David Godfrey, Manager at Vivid Ink, also added: “I am glad the day went so smoothly, and we are honoured to be part of such a great course.” 

When Bishops Manor became a Care UK care home in January 2022, the team installed a ‘Wishing Tree’, an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit and activities they’d like to do. This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives – from flying a plane to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small. 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Bishops Manor, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.