Hundreds of Mancunians queued to get the city’s symbolic worker bee tattooed in the wake of the terror attack that rocked the city.
By having the design tattooed, people have raised thousands of pounds for the Manchester Tattoo Appeal for which all proceeds go to those impacted by Monday’s atrocity.
Among those who opted for the distinctive tattoo is the mother of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, one of the victims.
More than £17,000 has been raised so far, and tattoo artists at Rapture Tattoo in said the “overwhelming” demand means they do not have the staff to ink everyone
Steve Bramhall, of Rapture Tattoo, said: "We've had an overwhelming demand, so much so that we basically don't have enough space for everyone."
Explaining the significance of the winged creature he said: "The bee symbol is used all over Manchester really.
"You see it on buildings, it's on all the bins, it's to symbolise the people from Manchester, it used to be very industrial.
"It just shows people come together and working as a community, in solidarity.
"It's nice for everyone to get the same tattoo basically because it shows we're all together in this and it's a good way to raise money for a worthy cause.
"It's the perfect symbol for this city and its heritage.
"And when people work together they work together like a hive of people," he added.
He said the studio had received requests for tattoos from people "from every walk of life", and were hoping to help raise the £50,000 total by the end of the weekend.
He said: "It's been really impressive just how much money's been raised already.
"It just shows you like, even on the day when it took place everyone was just going above and beyond, homeless people, taxi drivers, anyone who could help was helping and that's what we're trying to do as well, trying to help in any way we can, doing what we love."
The history of the insect as a motif for Manchester dates back to the Industrial Revolution, when the city was at the centre of textile manufacturing.
It is believed the busy workers in the mills were commonly compared to bees in their hives and so the association was born.
Colleague Sam Barber, who set up the campaign, said it was a symbol of strength for proud Mancunians.
She said had heard from friends and relatives of some of the victims, A&E staff who were working on the night of the attack, and others who "just want to feel part of something."
"The tattoo means something different to each person that's getting it," she added.
"It can be seen as a badge of honour or some people are doing it as a remembrance tattoo for a loved one."
