A POIGNANT and lasting tribute to a late friend will help to raise money for St Richard's Hospice.

Chris Taylor, from Wakeman Street, Barbourne, will be getting the charity's snowdrop motif tattooed on his right shoulder in memory of family friend Pat Woolley.

Though the 30-year-old is no stranger to the tattooist's gun, the pretty flowers will stand out among his other tattoos once it has been added by Mark Williams at 4ever Ink on Friday.

Mr Williams is waiving his fee and Mr Taylor has set up a Just Giving page to raise money for the charity after seeing how well the hospice cared for Miss Woolley who had pancreatic cancer.

The pair met when Mr Taylor was working at Currys and her partner came in to buy a television.

Mr Taylor offered to come over and help whenever they had any issues with their electrical goods and over the years the two families struck up a friendship.

"When Pat was transferred into St Richard's Hospice I got to see firsthand how much they do not just for the patient but family as well.

"I wanted to do something to raise money for this amazing charity and thought it would also be a lasting reminder of Pat.

"She wasn't a fan of my current tattoos, they're not soft they're quite harsh looking, but she loved flowers and she would have really appreciated the fact I was doing it."

Charlie Homer, community fundraiser at St Richard's Hospice, said: "We are always really grateful for anyone who is helping to raise money for St Richard's.

"It's great to get novel ideas and this will be a permanent reminder forever.

"As Charlie said, hospice care is about making sure people get the best care they can and the staff try to make people as comfortable as possible whether they or in the hospice or in the community."

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting justgiving.com/Chris-Taylor85.