James Corfield: Blue heart tattoo offered for free in memory of teenager

The symbol became associated with the Montgomeryshire teenager when he went missing in the early hours of Tuesday, July 25.

The 19-year-old’s body was found in the River Wye in Builth Wells, on Sunday afternoon.

Tattoos by J Cutler in Shrewsbury is waiving his usual fee and is asking for a donation in return for the tattoo, which will be given to James’ family to help cover funeral costs.

A post on his page said: “I never met James but I have had a lot of people in recently who knew him and are obviously upset about the circumstances. I think it’s only fair we do something in honour of him.

“I am going to book a full day of just tattooing the blue heart symbol associated with him. It’s going to be a very small, very quick tattoo, but a nice mark of respect.” The popular tattooist plans to tattoo for 12 hours and fit in 48 people on Sunday August 13.

“I’m hoping to get in one every 15 minutes, which is easily doable,” he added. “No money will be taken for these tattoos, however there will be a collection tin so any donations you want to make will be collected and put towards a nice bunch of flowers, the cost of the funeral or something along those lines.” Around 200 people gathered in Montgomeryshire on Tuesday for to listen to prayers and poems in memory of James.

Many of them wore blue – the colour he was wearing when he disappeared – and there was a round of applause in his honour.

James’ parents said: “James was very much a farming family guy – farming was his life, and he loved his animals with a passion.

“A visit to the Royal Welsh Show was a real highlight for him and seeing the sheep and poultry judging was something he really looked forward to. He went to the Royal Welsh Show every year throughout his life, and we have fond memories of taking him as a child, which we will always treasure. We will miss James with all our hearts, and are utterly devastated. We are very grateful to all the volunteers who helped with the search, and for all the messages of support, but we ask now to be left in privacy.”