THE father of a Newport ex-serviceman pledged his eternal support to a forces charity by having its logo tattooed on his arm.

Friends and family of John Powell, 58, donated more than £500 to Help4Heroes to see him have its logo, depicting soldiers carrying a comrade on a stretcher, permanently inked into his right upper arm.

The artwork also pays tribute to his son Daniel Powell, 25, who completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq as a Private with the Royal Signals, before leaving last year.

Mr Powell, of St Julians, said he was spurred on to fundraise for the charity, which helps those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts, after watching a documentary about the repatriation of dead soldiers' in the English town of Wootton Bassett.

He said: “We are the lucky ones, we have got our son back safe. I felt as if I wanted to do something for the ones that are not so lucky.”

The St Julian’s Primary School caretaker, who has another five tattoos including a celtic band and a Welsh dragon, had the artwork done for free by a tattoo artist, who wants to remain anonymous, who wanted to support his fundraising.

Anyone wishing to donate to the charity on Mr Powell’s behalf can visit bmycharity.com/tattoo4heroes