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10,000 people have now had bee tattoos to raise money for the We Love Manchester emergency fund

“It’s amazing to think in years to come someone might walk into a bar, see someone with the bee on them and instantly, even all those years on, know what it’s about.”

People queue for Manchester bee tattoos in Wigan

More than 10,000 people have now had bee tattoos in a show of solidarity after the Arena bombing - raising half a million pounds in the process.

In the days after the atrocity, which killed 22 people, people began getting the worker bee - an historic symbol of the city - inked on them.

Tattoo artists began donating their time and resources and doing the tattoos for free in exchange for a £50 donation to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.

And the total raised by the campaign has now topped £520,000, and is still rising by the day.

Kym Marsh has had a bee tattoo in tribute to victims of Manchester terror attack(Image: OK! magazine)

Stalybridge-based tattoo artist, Sam Barber, 28, who started the campaign said it was impossible to count the numbers who had bee tattoos in the last month, but said studios across the world had taken part.

And she said 10,000 was a fair estimate given the total raised, and the fact some had donated more than the suggested £50.

Sam said: “It’s still really overwhelming. It’s just spiralled so much, it’s amazing.

“It’s not just in Manchester as well, but across the globe. The bee has become a really powerful, important symbol.