Weymouth Tattoo Studio Continues to Collect Toy Donations Through Tats4Toys

A Weymouth tattoo studio is continuing to spread Christmas cheer by supporting families and organisations in need through the Tats4Toys initiative. Tattoo Morningstar has been collecting brand-new toys in exchange for flash tattoos, with donations still being accepted up until lunchtime tomorrow.

The charity event, which took place at the studio on 13 December, followed a walk-in-only flash format. Customers selected from a range of fixed tattoo designs, limited to arms and legs, with no alterations or colour changes. Instead of payment, participants donated a new, boxed toy, all of which will go directly to people facing hardship this Christmas.

Studio owner Kerry Gilbert said the response from the local community has been overwhelming.

“Never in a million years did we think it would be so popular. It has been really humbling to see everyone’s generosity,” Kerry said.
“Some have donated without having a service done with us. Some have sent over food vouchers as well as toys, and toys have been sent to us from customers that live in Wales. The magnitude of donations we have received has left us speechless.”

The aim of the initiative is to help families who may be struggling quietly and organisations that often go unnoticed.

“The aim for us is to help those in need that don’t know how to ask for it — families that have good jobs but are still struggling to put food on the table, let alone purchase gifts for their children,” Kerry explained.
“We also wanted to help organisations that get forgotten about.”

So far, donations have helped ten families, as well as local organisations including Chipmunks Baby Room and Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital. The studio has also supported the Islanders Youth and Community Hub, providing games and toys for toddlers and after-school groups.

Support has continued even after the tattoo event concluded.

“In the last 24 hours, we’ve had another five families’ names brought forward that are in need of help,” Kerry added.
“Donations are still rolling in despite us no longer running the tattoos, and we’re hoping we can fulfil all of these families’ needs.”

Members of the public can still donate brand-new, boxed toys by dropping them off at Tattoo Morningstar up until lunchtime tomorrow, giving the team time to sort donations by age range and deliver them to families in time for Christmas.

The ongoing response highlights the generosity of the Weymouth community and shows how a local tattoo studio can make a meaningful difference during the festive season