Over $30,000 was raised for the Canadian Mental Health Association Elgin Branch on Sunday, thanks to the Stay True Tattoo Semicolon Tattoo Fundraiser. The line filled with members of the community wrapped around the Joe Thornton Community Centre for much of the day on Sunday, while people waited hours to get a tattoo and support those dealing with mental health issues, in an effort to help end the stigma.
13 tattoo artists spent 14 hours doing roughly 50 tattoos each, during a day that saw some there until midnight when the event was planned to end around around 6 p.m., due to the overwhelming support of the community.
Shelley Barrett-Green with CMHA Elgin says each person who got a tattoo helped spark a conversation about mental health.
Barrett-Green says they are so thankful to all the artists, volunteers, and the community for supporting such a great event that helps to allow them to continue to help those suffering from mental illnesses in Elgin County.
