20.01.2015
Black Santa Appeal Brings in Record Sum for Charities
The 2014 Black Santa Appeal has raised a record sum. The annual sit out outside St Ann’s Church on Dawson Street, Dublin, saw €35,000 being collected, the largest amount in the appeal’s 13 year history.
The sit out was launched in Dublin by Canon Tommy Haskins and is modelled on a similar appeal which takes place annually outside St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast. The current Vicar of St Ann’s, Canon David Gillespie has continued the tradition of standing outside the church each day in the run up to Christmas and is delighted with the success of the 2014 appeal.
“To raise €35,000 in the times in which we are living is a fantastic result and I am most grateful to all who so generously contributed. Black Santa is now a well established tradition in Dublin and it is great to see people coming back year on year to offer their support,” Canon Gillespie says.
“I am most grateful to all in St Ann’s who helped with the appeal not least Joan Wadsworth, my Churchwarden, who scheduled an unprecedented number of choirs which added greatly to the festive mood in Dawson Street,” he adds.
The Vicar has also paid tribute to the small but very capable team of parishioners who offered hospitality to all the choirs and visitors during the week and those who counted and bagged the money.
He thanked St Ann’s caretaker, Fred Deane, and the others who joined him outside during the appeal. He also thanked the parishes of the united dioceses who assisted with the appeal, among them Kill o’ the Grange who donated €400 of Dunne’s Stores vouchers to be distributed to anyone seeking assistance from those collecting outside the church.
“This appeal will always be attached to St Ann’s but it is getting bigger and bigger every year and there is no doubt we could do with the help and support of some of our fellow parishioners from the diocese in undertaking the many things that go on behind the scenes such as catering, counting, providing security for the main church when the main doors are open and, of course, rattling a bucket in Dawson Street. Everyone is busy at this time of year and I’m well aware that parishes have their own things to do but any help that can be offered will be much appreciated,” Canon Gillespie comments.
“This year the Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Revd Rob Jones donned a black clerical cloak to assist one afternoon and a number of volunteers from Rathmines assisted with collecting. Volunteers from the Solas project also turned up to help on a number of days. If you, or your parish, thinks you would be interested in offering us a helping hand please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me on 2880663 or 6767727,” he says.
The funds collected will be distributed to the various charities at a service in St Ann’s on Sunday February 8. The preacher will be the Very Revd Houston McKelvey, former Dean of Belfast – himself a ‘Black Santa’ until his recent retirement.
The funds will be distributed as follows: Salvation Army – €5,000, Solas Project €5,000, Protestant Aid – €4,000, TRUST – €4,000, SVP – €3,000, Bishops’ Appeal –€3,000, McVerry Trust – €3,000, Dublin Simon – €2,000, Laura Lynn – €2,000, Samaritans – €2,000, Barnardos – €1,000, PACT – €1,000.
Photo caption: Archbishop Michael Jackson and Canon David Gillespie are pictured with members of Taney Junior Choir during the 2014 Black Santa Appeal.