A FORMER Royal Navy serviceman is determined to keep the bravery of British forces firmly in the public eye during the World Cup by raising money for Help for Heroes.

Graeme Stokes, 30, from Victoria Road in Northwich, braved the pain to have the England emblem tattooed on his right calf at Sacred Arts tattoo and body piercing studio, Castle, on Friday.

The chef at Cafe Terrazzo, on Northwich High Street, said his personal target was to raise £1,000 for the charity which provides support for members of the armed forces wounded while serving their country.

Graeme said: “I wanted to do something a bit different and raise money this way.

“I’ve already got six tattoos but I always get nervous before I have a new one, especially as I’ve not had one for a while.

“It’s brilliant, I’m really pleased with it.”

He added: “I was in the Navy for just over five years and I’ve got quite a lot of friends still out there in Helmand.

“You just have to pray that they come home safe.

“It’s definitely a worthy cause – the other main reason I picked the charity is because it’s a time when people will be focusing on the World Cup and might forget that things are still going on like the war in Afghanistan.

“Even though it’s the World Cup, the lads are still out there fighting.”

Darren Barrow, 39, tattooist at Sacred Arts who inked the design free of charge, said: “Graeme’s doing it for a great cause and it’s good to help out and do your bit.

“The design is of the three lions badge with a St George’s cross behind and a crown on top.

“It’s a nice design and it’s one that gets more popular around the time of the World Cup and cricket games.”

Sports Direct in Northwich provided the fundraiser with a new England shirt to wear during the event.

To donate to Graeme’s fundraising appeal visit justgiving.com/cabanga.