Belfast's 'Black Santa' Is Back

People across Belfast will be asked to 'dig deep' for worthy causes tomorrow when the city's 'Black Santa' returns to the steps of St Anne's Cathedral to begin his annual festive fund raising appeal.

This year marks the incumbent Dean of Belfast's eight Christmas sit-out, a tradition that goes back to 1976.

Dean Houston McKelvey said: "It would not be Christmas without the sit-out, and it is all about affirming the Good Samaritans in our society who give voluntary service in a myriad of ways.

"Their efforts cover all age groups, and their voluntary service ranges from after-school clubs to fundraising for medical research, and from counselling people in despair, to developing parental skills," he said.

Dr McKelvey said he is confident an immense number of lives across the world have benefited from kind donations made by people in Northern Ireland.

The Dean and his team will stage their campaign between 9am and 5pm everyday until Christmas Eve, excluding Sunday 21 December.

(PR)