Diocesan News01 Dec 21

Belfast Black Santa focuses appeal on local charities which support refugees

Almost a year on from a deliberate fire at a building which supports refugees in Northern Ireland, the 2021 Belfast Black Santa campaign is raising awareness of displaced people and hoping to tackle prejudice.

The fire at the Multi–Cultural Association took place on the day that the charities who benefitted from the 2020 fundraiser were brought together in celebration by the Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral. The fire was judged a deliberate hate crime by the police.

Dean Stephen Forde felt the power of the fundraising appeal, now in its 45th year, could be focused on supporting refugees and helping to create a more inclusive society for all.

“The intolerance of difference is the root cause of many of our problems in Northern Ireland,” Dean Forde remarked. “Yet we know that our communities can be sources of incredible support and love for people. I hope to use the appeal this year to tackle prejudice and misconception, and to change the reality for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“Fortunately few of us will experience what forces some people to flee as refugees. Those who come here because of their fear of persecution for such as reasons as race, religion, sexuality do so because they believe they will be safer in this place. But the likelihood of a minority ethnic person experiencing a racist attack in Northern Ireland is 17 times higher than a person from a Catholic or Protestant background experiencing a sectarian attack. As a society, and as individuals we need to do more to stand up to hate crime in Northern Ireland. I hope  this focus from the Black Santa Appeal goes some way to supporting the people who need it most.”

The Belfast Black Santa Sit Out campaign was started in 1976 by Dean Sammy Crooks. All the money gathered is donated to local charities with a proportion given to Christian Aid. None of the money raised goes to Belfast Cathedral. As well as charities which support refugees, the money raised by this year’s Appeal will support over 200 other local charities, including those which care for people with disabilities, children and the elderly; the improvement of employment opportunities for young people and a host of small charities which cannot afford paid fund–raisers. The funds raised in the weeks before Christmas are distributed to charities at the Good Samaritans’ Service, held in the Cathedral early in the year following each Sit–out.

He added: “It is an honour to continue this tradition and to help people support over 200  charities in Northern Ireland. The continuing impact of the pandemic means fundraising for charities has once again been impacted severely and  this campaign is a really important source of help.

“The Black Santa Appeal is something I look forward to every year, and know that it’s a Christmas tradition for many people here. This year we’re delighted to be supported by a number of Northern Ireland’s influencers on social media, and I hope it will mean the beginning of a new tradition for many more people.”

Dean Stephen Forde will begin the annual Sit–Out on Monday 13th December until Christmas Eve on 24th. People can visit the Cathedral and donate directly to the famous barrel either through cash donations or use contactless transaction. The Appeal website (www.belfastblacksanta.org) will accept online donations throughout the month of December. It is also possible to purchase original merchandise to support the Black Santa Appeal, including a beanie hat designed by the local artist James Ashe and made by the social enterprise Orchardville. Interviews with a number of the charities that will benefit from this year’s appeal are also featured on the website.

The professional services firm PwC is once again supporting the Cathedral with volunteers to deliver the online campaign. Last year it helped raise well over £200,000 for the Appeal. Lynne Rainey, PwC Partner and Purpose Lead in NI, commented: “It’s a privilege to support Dean Forde as well as the many charity organisations across Northern Ireland for a second year through the Belfast Black Santa campaign.”

Ms Rainey added: “The juxtaposition of the Good Samaritan’s Service taking place at the same time as the attack on the Multi–Cultural Association highlights the importance of this year’s focus from the Cathedral. No–one wants to become a refugee but those who are forced to, deserve help and support. Our society is at its best when it’s inclusive and welcoming, and we all benefit from increased diversity and learning from other cultures. I hope everyone gets behind this year’s appeal.”