A DAD is offering the community the chance to design his first-ever tattoo in a bid to raise funds to help seriously ill children ahead of him running the London Marathon. 

Chris Philcox, from Billericay, is hosting a unique raffle to give the winner “free reign” to design his first-ever tattoo.

The 36-year-old is set to run the London Marathon on April 23 for Rays of Sunshine.

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This charity grants magical wishes, hosts interactive hospital activity days, and provides ongoing support, for seriously ill children across the UK.

The money raised by the raffle will be added to Chris’ London Marathon fundraising pot and donated to Rays of Sunshine.

He said: “I have always wanted a tattoo, but as a chronic over-thinker I have always been worried that I will end up not liking it, or the design will go wrong.

“In a weird way, by allowing someone else to design it, the pressure is lessened.”

Chris has already raised £1,500 but hopes this latest idea will help his reach his £2,300 target.

There are very minimal design specifications that the winning raffle ticket owner will have to abide by - the tattoo will be five inches by five inches in size, located on his hip or thigh, and must not contain any hateful or discriminatory language or imagery.

Chris added: “In an ideal world, the winning ticket holder will be a budding designer who has something really cool they want to see brought to life.

“But I am well aware this opportunity might bring out people’s mischievous side.”

The Billericay resident came across Rays of Sunshine’s work via social media, and as a father himself he says its work struck a chord with him.

Chris said: “If nothing else, I hope this fundraiser idea spreads awareness of the amazing work that Rays of Sunshine does.

“As a parent, having a seriously ill child is the last place in the world you want to be  but to know that organisations like this one are there to help families deal with scary diagnoses and find a light during a dark time is a comfort.”

To buy tickets for Chris’s raffle, visit bit.ly/3GgnCLF or to donate to his Just Giving visit justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-philcox2