10.12.2010
Archbishop and Lord Mayor to launch Black Santa Charity Appeal
The annual sit out for charity at St Ann’s Church on Dawson Street – the ‘Black Santa’ Christmas Appeal – will be launched by the Most Revd John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin, and the Lord Mayor, Cllr Gerry Breen, on Thursday 16 December at 2pm.
The Vicar of St Ann’s, the Revd David Gillespie, will be joined by several of his clerical colleagues and local choirs during the sit-out which will continue from 11am to 6pm daily up to and including Christmas Eve (except Sunday 19 December).
The 2010 sit out will be the ninth such sit out and is modelled on a similar longstanding appeal by successive Deans of Belfast where it became known as ‘Black Santa’ due to the long heavy black cloak worn by the clergy to protect themselves from the cold weather.
Amongst the charities that will be assisted by the sit out will be the St Vincent de Paul, the Samaritans, Barnardos and the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal.
Last year’s appeal raised over €17,000 with successive appeals in January for Haiti and in August for Pakistan bringing the total raised in the past year to almost €40,000.
ENDS