# Black santas hit the streets in Belfast and Dublin

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/17/black-santas-hit-streets-belfast-and-dublin/
- Published: 2008-12-17T14:58:02+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

‘Black santas’ in Belfast and Dublin have gone on the street to collect money for
charity during the Christmas period. The santas are clergy men, backed up by volunteers,
who stand outside their respective churches in all weathers collecting cash from
passersby.

Belfast’s “Black Santa” began his annual Sitout at St Anne’s Cathedral to raise 
money for a wide range of local charities and for work in the developing world. 
The Dean of Belfast Dr Houston McKelvey said: “It would not be Christmas without
the Sit-out, and it is all about affirming the Good Samaritans in our society who
give voluntary service in a myriad of ways.”

He added: “Their efforts cover all age groups, and their voluntary service ranges
from after-school clubs to fundraising for medical research, and from counselling
people in despair, to developing parental skills.”

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This will be Dean McKelvey’s eighth Sitout since he was appointed. The annual collection
has raised over £3 million to date.

In Dublin Canon Tom Haskins has come out of retirement to raise more money for charity
in his usual pre-Christmas position outside St Ann’s Church on Dublin’s Dawson Street.
It will be the seventh annual “Black Santa” sit-out by Canon Tom Haskins, who retired
as vicar of St Ann’s and St Stephen’s earlier this year.

Charities to benefit will include the St Vincent de Paul, Barnardos, the Samaritans
and others working for overseas development.

www.belfastcathedral.org/black-santa/

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