'I was set on fire aged 3 - 300 surgeries later, a special gift has given me my life back'

A mum who tattoos beautiful designs over scar tissue to give people back their confidence has been nominated for a Pride of Britain award.

Artist Kate Challinor, who is based in Leeds, has been praised by her friend Sarah Allum, 49, after she was gifted an arm tattoo through Kate’s charity, the Inkredible Foundation, to cover up extensive burns from a freak childhood accident.

Mum of two Kate, 46, suffered years of surgeries due to her own health issues, which left her with permanent scarring.

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“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go somewhere to have my scars covered,” she says.

With the encouragement of a friend, she decided to teach herself how to use a tattoo gun. After 12 months of practise, she was ready for her first client: a pal who was left with scarring after having a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.

After two years of freelancing, Kate launched the Inkredible Foundation in May 2023 - a charity that offers tattoos of any size to cover scars, completely for free.

And in the short time since its launch, Kate has tattooed more than 70 women left with surgical scars that were having a ''detrimental effect'' on their daily lives.

Kate says: “It’s about making them feel beautiful again. Every scar has got its own story. Everyone who comes through the door, if they’ve got a scar, they’ve usually got trauma. They want to heal from their trauma, and having the tattoo is just part of that.”

She adds: “Some of these ladies, especially the breast cancer survivors, wouldn’t let their husbands see them naked again, so it’s lovely helping them get their confidence back. Their husbands love me!

“We should be proud of our scars. Usually they’re a result of surviving something; they’re a reminder to us to celebrate what we’ve overcome.”

Sarah Allum found out about the charity and, in October 2024, travelled from her home in Cornwall to meet Kate and to start the two-day process of covering the third-degree burn scars on her right arm and shoulder.

“I was set on fire aged three and sustained 46% third-degree full thickness burns,” she tells the Mirror.

“I've had more than 300 surgeries to date on my burns, which cover the right side of my body; my chin, neck, chest, torso, right arm, underarm and shoulder.

“It’s basically most of my right side - front side, and back from my chin and hip.”

Sarah was thrilled with the results of Kate’s work and the positive impact it has had on her mental health. “I'm more outgoing in myself,” she smiles. “I'm happier. My kids have noticed the difference, too. This is the first summer in my life I have felt good wearing a short-sleeved top.

“After my early trauma, I can never overstate what a huge step mentally that has been for me - and I have Kate to thank.”

Sarah has nominated Kate as a Local Hero in the 2025 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises. “Kate has her own health struggles, yet she puts 110% into everything she does,” Sarah added.

“She has gifted so many people with tattoos that change people's lives in such a positive way.

“I was one of those lucky people. The confidence she has given me is fantastic. I owe this beautiful lady the world for what she has gifted me.”

Kate adds: “I’m honoured and touched that I’ve been nominated for a Pride of Britain award, that’s lovely to me that someone believes in me that much.”

The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises honour the nation's unsung heroes, with the star-studded celebration screened every year on ITV.

The deadline for public nominations is midnight on Sunday (August 11), so if you know someone who deserves a Pride of Britain Award, now is the time to tell us about them. Nominate now at prideofbritain.com.