A New Zealand dad with a huge face tattoo called “Devast8” begged for work on Facebook after struggling to find a job. What happened next gave him a second chance at life.
Unemployed Dad With Face Tattoo Begs for Job on Facebook
Sometimes one decision can change your whole life. For Mark Cropp, a young father from New Zealand, that decision came one night in prison.
After a failed drug deal, Mark served more than two years behind bars. One night, drunk on homemade alcohol, he and his brother made a reckless choice: they melted plastic, mixed it with toothpaste, and tattooed the word “Devast8” across his face.
The tattoo was meant as a joke, but it left a permanent mark that would follow him long after his release.
A Father’s Struggle to Start Fresh
When Mark left prison, all he wanted was to turn his life around. He dreamed of supporting his girlfriend and their young daughter. But everywhere he went, employers turned him away the moment they saw the massive tattoo.
Mark admitted the nickname “Devast8” came from his tendency to “devastate” everything in his past — but now it was devastating his future.
A Desperate Plea Goes Viral
Unable to find work and unable to pay for tattoo removal, Mark turned to Facebook. He posted a photo of himself and wrote a simple plea for a second chance.
To his surprise, the post went viral. Thousands of people shared his story, sparking sympathy and debate across New Zealand and beyond.
A Ray of Hope
Mark’s story reached Sacred Tattoo, a well-known tattoo studio in Auckland. Touched by his struggle, they offered him free laser removal sessions to erase the face tattoo and help him get a fresh start.
With community support and the chance to rebuild his life, Mark’s story became a powerful reminder that everyone deserves a second chance.