Belfast Cathedral Appeal supports 108 charities
Representatives of 108 local charities received a share of the £200,000 raised by the 2024 Black Santa Appeal when they gathered in Belfast Cathedral on 2 February for the annual Good Samaritans Service.
In his words of welcome, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd Stephen Forde, said that through ‘heroic volunteering and careful financial management’ these were the charities located in cities, towns and villages that connect directly with local people and local needs.
“In this way you add immensely to the work of the major national charities. But you do so without the benefit of large fundraising departments. That is why it is the small local charities which are the beneficiaries of the Black Santa Appeal,” the Dean said.
Special guest at the service was Lady Mary Peters, who won pentathlon gold at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. A former Lord Lieutenant for the City of Belfast, Dean Forde welcomed her as a familiar figure in the Cathedral.
During the service, Lady Mary spoke to the charity representatives gathered, saying she was immensely proud to be in the Cathedral for the service. She recalled how Black Santa had in the past supported her own charity, the Mary Peters’ Trust, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. In that time, she said, the Trust has supported 5,000 young sports men and women to follow their dream and win Olympic medals, as in Paris last year, when Northern Ireland athletes won the highest number of medals per head of population in the world.
Quoting Mother Teresa, Lady Mary said: “It is not about what you do but about how much love you put into what you do,” and urged the charities to spend the money wisely for the greater good.
Guests enjoyed two items from singer Peter Corry, whose annual Christmas concerts in Belfast Cathedral coincide with the Black Santa Sit-out. There were also anthems from the Cathedral choir, and Sir Ronnie Weatherup, President of the Belfast Charitable Society, read the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Black Santa tradition was established by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976, with the 48th Sit-out taking place on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral from December 16 until Christmas Eve.
At the Good Samaritans Service, Dean Forde described the total raised as ‘an amazing sum.’ “These are difficult financial times,” he said. “For everyone, whether individuals or companies, money is tight, and people may be reluctant to give. I have therefore been overwhelmed by the generosity of people, young and old, and companies small and large, who have each helped us to exceed the total I had set for this year’s appeal by over £20,000!”
The Dean paid tribute to the Belfast Charitable Society who had pledged that in 2024 - the 250th anniversary year of their home, Clifton House - they would make up the Black Santa total to £200,000, donating £73,600; and to other individuals and companies were extremely generous, including the power company Energia who donated £15,000. He also thanked people for the donations of coins, revealing that just that week, the Cathedral had banked £1,190 in pennies and 2p pieces. “It was a very heavy suitcase full of coins!” he added.
He thanked the volunteers who worked behind the scenes for the Appeal, and the Cathedral canons and others who braved the cold and this year’s gale force winds to collect on the Cathedral steps. The Dean also thanked PwC Finance Services who again ensured the effectiveness of Black Santa’s online presence.
The names of all 108 charities awarded grants were read out in groups, with a break after each group so all present could applaud the work of the recipients.
They represented charities supporting families, the homeless and those doing charitable work in the community. Christian Aid, which partnered with Dean Sammy Crooks on that first ever Black Santa Sit-out, received a donation as it does every year - the exception to the rule, the Dean said.
This year’s Appeal had a special focus on charities supporting families which include a young person living with a significant diagnosis of autism which is why, Dean Forde said, funds were directed to those smaller local charities who work to ensure young people avoid ending up homeless.
The Good Samaritans Service took the form of Choral Evensong. The choir was directed by Jack Wilson, Organist and Master of Music, who also accompanied Peter Corry. Assistant Organist was Stephen Hamill. A collection was taken for the 2025 Black Santa Appeal.
To learn more about Black Santa, visit www.belfastblacksanta.org.
Pictured above: Lady Mary Peters with representatives of the Home Start charity at the Good Samaritans Service in Belfast Cathedral on 2 February.