Bishop Harold joins Black Santa sit–out
Bishop Harold has taken part in the Black Santa charity collection on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast. He joined Dean Mann on Wednesday afternoon along with the Bishop of Connor and Brother David Jardine. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, also stopped by to lend his support.
This is the first year that The Very Revd John Mann has manned the barrel in his role as Dean of the Cathedral. He launched his Black Santa Sitout Appeal with a fundraising target of £201,100 – £100 for every year since Jesus was born.
“People have been tremendously supportive and generous and we are close to the £100,000 mark now,” said the Dean.
View a few more photos here.
All the money gathered is donated to local charities with a proportion given to Christian Aid. This year almost 200 charities have applied for a share of the funding. The range of causes includes medical research; those caring for children, youth and the elderly; the improvement of employment opportunities for young people and a host of small charities which cannot afford paid fund–raisers.
Most of the money donated is given by people who come to the Cathedral during the sitout. Contributions are made by individuals, families, schools, offices and workplaces.
When he set the target of £201,100, Dean Mann said: “Your support is needed as always, perhaps more so this year, as many people and charities feel the effects of the financial crisis.”
“Generosity is a source of our own inner peace and wellbeing as we celebrate God’s gift to us once again at Christmas.”
The Black Santas will be on the street in front of the cathedral until Christmas Eve from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm each day so PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!
(Donations may be made at any time of the year, by sending a cheque made payable to “Cathedral Sit out” to the Dean, at Belfast Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2HB).