17.12.2014
Black Santa Charity Sit Out Underway at St Ann’s, Dublin
Dublin’s Black Santa Appeal was launched at St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, this afternoon (December 17). Archbishop Michael Jackson joined the Vicar of St Ann’s, Canon David Gillespie, for the official start of the sit out which will see the Vicar and his team of volunteers collecting money outside the church from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm daily up to and including Christmas Eve.
Taney Junior Parish Choir joined the festivities today and throughout the next week collectors will be joined by different choirs each lunchtime including the choirs of Castleknock NS, St James’ PS, Francis Street CBS, CUS, The Seafield Singers, the Brook Singers, Dublin Male Voice Choir, the Line Up Choir, Kildare Place National School, Loreto College, John Scottus School, the Revenue Choir, Dublin Male Voice Choir and the Steadfast Band.
The Black Santa Sit Out is modeled on a similar appeal, which has been run by successive Deans of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for many years. It became known as the Black Santa appeal because of the long heavy black cloaks worn by the clergy to keep out the cold. This is the 14th year that the appeal has been held in Dublin and in that time almost €400,000 has been raised for local good causes.
Last year just under €30,000 was distributed to local charities, among them Trust, The Salvation Army, The Simon Community and the Peter McVerry Trust all of which work with homeless people.
Other charities supported include Protestant Aid, Barnardos, St Vincent De Paul, the Laura Lynn Foundation and Solas Project.
The collectors were out on Dawson Street yesterday and got the appeal off to a flying start by gathering over €7,000 on the first day. Canon Gillespie said the generosity of Dublin people was heartening so early in the sit out.
Every cent donated to Black Santa goes directly to the charities. The money raised by the appeal will be distributed at a special service in St Ann’s in the New Year.
Photo caption: Canon David Gillespie and Archbishop Michael Jackson with Taney Parish Junior Choir and Fred Deane outside St Ann’s Church this afternoon.