St Anne's Church of Ireland 'Black Santa' appeal in its 50th year

​Over the last half a century, five successive Deans have donned the 'Black Santa' mantle, raising millions of pounds for charities not only at home, but supporting partners worldwide through Christian Aid and responding to devastating crises - the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, and, more recently, Ukrainian refugees in 2021.

For the current Dean, the Rev Stephen Forde, this will be a ninth Black Santa sit-out. Recognising the significance of the past 50 years, he has chosen to highlight another charity celebrating an anniversary, the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, which this year marks 25 years of providing specialist care to families.

Dean Forde has set himself a special challenge for 2026 - to raise an extra third on top of the usual 'Black Santa' tally to donate entirely to the Children’s Hospice, with the remaining two-thirds shared among local charities in the usual way.

The Dean says: “This December will mark 50 years since Dean Sammy Crooks stood on the steps of St Anne’s cathedral to launch the first Dean’s Christmas sit-out appeal. The year 1976 was a dark year in the Northern Ireland 'Troubles' and the cathedral appeal was highly significant.

“Into that context. Dean Crooks chose to bring the light of our Christmas faith that dark December. And the Belfast public soon dubbed him ‘Black Santa,’ due in part to the black clerical cloak he wore to keep warm. The name has stuck, as each of the succeeding Deans of Belfast has taken for themselves the mantle and persona of Belfast’s 'Black Santa'.

Over five decades, the names of Dean Crooks, Jack Shearer, Houston McKelvey, John Mann, and now Dean Forde, have become synonymous with this 10-day vigil through cold and wind, rain, sleet and sometimes snow. Each has been assisted by cathedral canons, bishops and others who have stood alongside. In the background, cathedral parishioners have counted donations'."

“What has always made the 'Black Santa' sit-out so special is the generosity and the response of people from across the city of Belfast and far beyond,” Dean Forde confirms.

“People who first came as children in the 1970s now bring their grandchildren to fill the iconic 'Black Santa barrel with coins and notes. Across those 50 years, millions of pounds have been raised in the days before Christmas, all given away again at the annual Good Samaritans’ cathedral service at the start of each new year.”

The Dean adds the focus on the Children’s Hospice is a way of marking and celebrating this milestone anniversary.

“The Children’s Hospice is a very special place where children with life-limiting conditions can receive on-site respite care while their parents or siblings enjoy some rest.

“The Children’s Hospice also offers home care to families across Northern Ireland. All provided entirely free of charge.

"The remaining two-thirds (£3.2 million) must be raised from the community. “That is why the 'Black Santa 50' appeal is partnering with the Children’s Hospice in its 25 th anniversary year. The extra fund-raising will contribute towards the vital funds needed to support the Children’s Hospice, where the inpatient unit is currently able to operate just six of the 10 beds available.”

The Dean says raising one-third extra for 'Black Santa 50' in 2026 would be a big challenge. “But through our continued partnership with professional services firm PwC, and with support from businesses, parishes and the ever-generous people of our community, such a challenge is not beyond reach,” he said.

“Fifty years of the Black Santa Sit-out. Twenty-five years of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. What an opportunity is given for us to share the full meaning of Christmas with not only 100 small local charities but also with Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.”

Conal Duffy, NI Hospice’s chief income officer, said the charity is delighted with this partnership with Belfast Cathedral in what is a very special anniversary year for both organisations.

* The 'Black Santa' 50th anniversary sit-out will get underway at Belfast Cathedral on Monday December 14 and continue until Christmas Eve.