Tribute ... Shaun Clark's tattoos
Dan O'Lone / Ross Parry Agency
Published: 12 Nov 2009
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EX-SQUADDIE Shaun Clark had the names of the 223 British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan painfully tattooed over his chest, back and stomach yesterday to raise money for Help for Heroes.
The 43-year-old former infantryman had the names — each half a centimetre high — etched over his body starting at 11am on Armistice Day.
And his amazing tribute is being sponsored to raise money for the soldiers' charity.
Shaun admitted: "It's a painful business going under the needle but it's nothing compared to what the troops are going through every single day on the front line.
"I don't mind suffering for a few days if I can let the lads know that people really care about what they're doing out there, and raise some money for the guys."
Staff running the charity Help for Heroes were near to tears when the married dad-of-two — who works as a court officer in Doncaster — rang with news of his extraordinary scheme last week.
Shaun, who served with the 8th Battalion Light Infantry Regiment from 1989 to 1996, said: "The woman I spoke to at the office sounded really choked when I told her what I was doing.
"She said it was brilliant idea, but I could tell that she'd got a lump in her throat and was getting really emotional as we were talking. I couldn't work out why for a while.
"Then eventually she told me: 'My husband's name is on your list'."
The names are of all the servicemen and women who have perished over the last seven and a half years up until early November this year.
Tattoo artist Kevin Kent has drawn up a comprehensive list of all the casualties with the help of the MOD.
Kevin, 45, who has a nephew and a son-in-law serving in the Army, said: "I told Shaun that it's going to be a slow and painful process.
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"It's not easy fitting in all the names, especially as we wanted every single one to be clearly visible."
Kevin — who gave his services free of charge — plans to update the list of names each year if need be.
He added: "I'm praying that we don't have to add any more names next year, but Shaun is serious about doing this right, and if more soldiers are killed then we'll have to find room for their names as time goes by.
"I really do admire Shaun - he could have done a sponsored run or a half marathon, but it wouldn't have meant as much as this."
A spokeswoman for Help for Heroes said: "We are used to people going the extra mile when it comes to raising money, but this goes far beyond the norm.
"He was in touch last week to confirm everything was going ahead. It turned out to be a very poignant conversation because the volunteer, who took the call, lost her husband in action earlier in the year, and of course, his name is among those on the list."
*Anyone can sponsor Shaun by visiting www.justgiving.com/shaun-clarkhelptheheroes.
Would be amazing if we could get Shaun at our event.
Posted by: Grace Vernon
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