Black Santa sails into Belfast: Very Rev Stephen Forde arrives by boat for second year in a row performing traditional charity sit-out

Belfast’s Black Santa sailed into the city today, the Very Rev Stephen Forde arriving by boat for his second year in a row performing the traditional charity sit-out.

The dean of Belfast will be on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral until Christmas Eve, planning to raise £150,000 for good causes.

placeholder image — The Very Rev Stephen Forde embarked on his second year in a row as Belfast's Black Santa today, collecting money for charity. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

He arrived by the River Lagan this morning, setting out across the capital city’s harbour with Belfast Lough Sailability – one of the charities that benefitted from his fundraising last year.

After docking at the Big Fish sculpture on the Lagan’s banks, Black Santa made his way to the cathedral to be greeted by Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly, who welcomed his return to the city’s frosty streets for days of good works that have become synonymous with Belfast’s festive celebrations.

Said the Lord Mayor: “He’s here every single Christmas, and has been for the last 49.

“The people of Belfast are really generous when they do give, and we’re encouraging people to call down and please put your donation in the box.

"Come down to St Anne’s Cathedral and donate to some very worthwhile charities.”

It’s the second year in a row that Dean Forde has performed the role, and his eighth time in the traditional black-robed garb overall.

For the first time there will be two stations, the usual in front of the cathedral plus one at Exchange Street West, with Black Santa splitting his time between them.

Now in its 49th year, the event sees a senior church official don the now-traditional black Anglican coat, as well as pulling on his winter socks and mittens, to brave the elements outside St Anne’s Cathedral until Christmas Eve sees him head back inside – just in time for the real Santa Claus to put in an appearance.

This year, he’s raising money charities supporting children with arthritis as well as people with motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis.

Dean Forde said: “Each of these conditions is life changing, and in many cases will become progressively more severe.

“A diagnosis is devastating. For many who live with such a diagnosis, life can become increasingly isolated for themselves and those who provide their day-to-day care. That is why charities working in these fields provide such vital and important support, day and night.”