Belfast's Black Santa to begin charity sit-out on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral this Monday

This year’s version sees the Very Reverend Stephen Forde, Dean of Belfast, sitting out for a second successive year and his eighth in total from 10.30am on Monday, December 15.

He will will travel to the Cathedral Quarter by sea, hitching a ride with Belfast Lough Sailability to dock at the Big Fish, Donegall Quay, at 10am, from where he will make his way to Donegall Street on foot. He will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Belfast at 11am.

Belfast Lough Sailability was one of 108 local charities which received a share of the £200,000 raised by the Dean’s Black Santa Appeal in 2024, and the organisation is delighted to ferry Black Santa to the launch of this year’s sit-out.

Dean Forde, supported by Bishops, Canons and clergy from the Cathedral, will be on the steps of St Anne’s daily from Monday, December 15 to Wednesday, December 24, with the exception of Sunday, December 21.

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.

The fundraising initiative started in 1976 when Dean Sammy Crooks collected money from passers-by in front of Belfast Cathedral, with the money then being distributed to local charities.

The local press described Dean Crooks as Belfast's Black Santa because of the iconic black robes worn during the sit out.

“As I continue the legacy created by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976, when 49 years ago he held the first ‘Dean of Belfast’s Christmas Appeal,’ I know that once more the people of Belfast and far beyond will take this Appeal to their hearts and you will be as generous as ever,” Dean Forde said.

“In 2024, I was overwhelmed that we were able to raise over £200,000 which was distributed to 108 local charities, each with a registered income of less than £250,000. These are the smaller charities, which do not have their own fundraising departments, but which each offer incredible support to their own local communities.”

As in each of the past 49 years, the Appeal also made a single overseas donation to support the work of Christian Aid, which this year has celebrated its 80th anniversary.

In addition to the wide range of charities supported annually, each year the Black Santa Appeal has a special focus on a group of charities working in a particular area. This year’s Appeal will focus on Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and children with arthritis.

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."

You can support fundraising efforts in person, via cheque or online.