Press Releases
"BLACK SANTA" GIFTS TO LOCAL CHARITIES
More than 100 representatives of local charities attended a reception in. St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today for the presentation of gift cheques from the annual "Black Santa" Christmas Sitout which raised a record £400,000.
Canon Raymond Fox, Vicar of St Anne's, said "These gift cheques represent the magnificent generosity of the people of Northern Ireland and beyond.
"However on this occasion we share an understandable feeling of loss as Dean Jack Shearer died between the sitout and this presentation. It's a feeling of 'unfinished business'."
Canon Fox said the late Dean bad described the sitout as "an opportunity for the people to give" and over the years since 1976 people in cars and on foot made their way to Donegall Street with money for Black Santa's barrel.
"The sitout last Christmas, the late Dean's 15th sitout, collected a massive £400,000 - a total way beyond expectations. People took the opportunity to give and we are very grateful to them for their generosity," said Canon Fox.
Lady Anne McCollum, Lloyds TSB Foundation, presented the cheques to charities and Mrs Michele Grainger, the late Dean's daughter, presented cheques to Royal Victoria Hospital Charities.
The late Dean Jack Shearer -
last year's "Black Santa"
Click here for a list of the recipients of gifts from the
Belfast Cathedral Sitout for Charities
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax: (028) 9032 3554
Email:The Press Office