Black Santa funding will benefit more than 220 charities
More than 220 charities will this weekend benefit from money raised during the 2015 Black Santa Sit–out on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral.
The 39th annual Sit–out raised £195,000 and at the annual Good Samaritans Service on Sunday February 7, well–loved local comedians May McFettridge, Jimmy Cricket and William Caulfield will give up their time to present cheques to charities and community groups who strive to make life better for others.
This was Dean John Mann’s fifth Christmas Sit–out as he maintains a tradition established by the late Dean Sammy Crooks almost 40 years ago.
The Good Samaritans Service takes place on the first Sunday in February each year, which the Dean said was “always a happy day in St Anne’s Cathedral.”
Smiles are definitely guaranteed this year with the line–up of special guests!
Dean Mann said: “More than 200 charities will benefit, representing a huge amount of voluntary and community work. This must be one of the most comprehensive gatherings anywhere in Northern Ireland of a spectrum of charitable work taking place, from organisations aiding young people to those supporting the elderly, from those struggling with medical conditions to those working in reconciliation and healing in its broadest sense. They include many cross–community initiatives and those working in places of social deprivation.
“It is a celebration of much that is good and praiseworthy in our community, and an opportunity to thank those who turn money into action and goodwill into improving the lives of others. It is a privilege to be part of it.”