MORE than 20 people are today carrying around permanent tributes to the good work of medics at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital on their bodies.

Thirteen tattoo artists answered the call of Paul and Carly Humphreys to prime their needles and raise money for the hospital after it medics treated son Presley-Ray in December.

The event was held at the couple’s Evolution Tattoo parlour in Banbury Road, Kidlington, and it was hoped had raised more than £5,000.

Presley-Ray suffered a life-threatening twisted bowel after his December 12 birth, which cut off blood flow to his intestine. He returned home safe and well after a 90-minute operation.

More than 20 tattoos were done on Saturday and among those now adorned with a permanent design is Mark Lennon. The 34-year-old from Banbury paid £300 to finish a design on his arm of daughter Freya’s birthdate and a guardian angel.

She too was treated at the hospital when born three months premature and weighing 1lb 9oz.

He said: “I wanted the tattoo to remind me of that time. With it being on my arm, I can never forget that time and how lucky I was.”

Mrs Humphreys, 24, praised “amazing” doctors for their work on Presley-Ray and said: “We thought we have the space so why not hold a special day and give them some cash?”

Among the designs were a Transformer, Russian doll, swallows, a crocodile eye and a teapot.

London tattoo artist Michael Rose said: “Anyone that can save Paul and Carly’s baby or anyone’s baby has to be worth supporting. Some people say what we do is amazing art work, but what they have done to save that little baby is amazing.

“And we have come down to support them and raise as much money as possible.”

Chester tattoo artist Mark Bailey, 41 said: If you cannot turn out for the kids then you cannot turn out.”

Tattooist Ben Hampton, 26, from Bath, said: “People are quite open to helping each other.”

Mr Humphreys, 33, thanked the tattoo artists who for their time.