May 2017 saw a tragic violent incident in Manchester that killed 22 and injured a further 250 people. The people in the city pulled together to do all that they could to help, this togetherness launched a number of appeals to provide aid, comfort and support for those affected by the bomb.
The Manchester Tattoo Community launched its own appeal called the Manchester Bee Appeal, which centred around tattooer’s doing a stylised bee tattoo for £50 with all the proceeds going to the appeal fund. Many studios across Manchester decided to get involved. The involvement spread to the other big cities in the north west of England, including Liverpool.
Stephen Crane and Alexander Jorge Perez of Wavertree Gateacre Queensway Lodge No 2294 are both involved in the tattoo industry and have four tattoo studios and a tattoo equipment supply company, so when one of their tattooer’s approached them and said can they get involved and do their bit, they both jumped at the chance.
Tattoo crews from two of their studios – Alan’s Tattoo based in Moreton on the Wirral and 13 Ink Tattoo based in the centre of Liverpool, donated their time, (this included the reception staff wives and girlfriends), for free. Steve and Jorge funded all the materials that would be needed to perform the work, so that all proceeds could be donated.
The appeal was advertised through social media and the teams spent two days doing all the work, the general public were fantastic and eager to donate a patch of skin and £50 towards the appeal which raised a massive £5,480.
The cheque for £5,480 was handed over to Peter Hegarty, who travelled over from the Province of East Lancashire to attend the installation meeting of Wavertree Gateacre Queensway Lodge which meets in Hope Street, Liverpool. Peter received the cheque in his capacity as Salford District Chairman. Peter said: “I give a big thank you to all those involved, a real team effort for a worthy cause.”
The following day Peter passed the cheque to the East Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity who are assisting with the coordination of donations as Manchester is in its geographical area.
Author: Andrew Foster

Stephen Crane, Peter Hegarty and Alexander Jorge Perez