LEA Perry sought solace in the tattoo parlour chair following the death of his 10-year-old son.

The coach driver is now planning to have a seventh tattoo in memory of Freddie, who died after he was hit by a car last September.

The family took a print of Freddie’s hand in hospital and Mr Perry is now planning to have it tattooed on to his left shoulder.

He said: “He will also have his hand my shoulder. He will always be with me.”

The 40-year-old tattoo fan got a portrait of his father Graham inked onto his right chest at Zoddy Tattoos in Didcot following his death from cancer in February 2012.

The Wantage Road tattoo parlour was also the place he went the day after Freddie died.

He had a tattoo of his son’s full name and his date of birth and date of death inked on to his left arm.

He then had a portrait of Freddie drawn on the left side of his chest in February and his initials FP written in lightning as a reminder of the Harry Potter books Freddie loved.

Mr Perry said: “It has helped me having a picture of him with me.”

Mr Perry then had two Freddo chocolate bars inked on to each of his wrists along with more than 20 other fundraisers in May as the tattoo parlour raised £630 for the Freddie Perry Foundation by asking for a £20 donation for tattoos.

The foundation was set up by Mr Perry and wife Judith in a bid to raise money for road safety schemes in Freddie’s memory.

Herald Series:

Freddie Perry

And on Sunday, Zoddy Tattoos finished a drawing of the muppet Animal playing drums – with “Supporting FP” on the drum skin – on Mr Perry’s back.

Mr Perry said of owners and artists Jim and Natalie Grey: “They are like a pair of therapists.”

He estimated he had spent at least 10 hours at the parlour since Freddie’s death, adding: “I chill out and have a good chat. It is just an amazing place.

“If I had more skin I would be there for 100 hours more.”

Stephen Freeman Primary School pupil Freddie died after he was hit by a car near his home in Oxford Crescent, Didcot, last September.

The driver was absolved of any blame over his death.

Herald Series:

The tattoo on Mr Parry's back

A musical festival is being held next month to raise money for his foundation.

Fred Fest will be held on Saturday, September 20, at the Christian Life Centre, formerly the Regal, in Cowley Road, Oxford.

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