Diocesan News
Dublin Black Santa prepares for sit–out
Dublin’s Black Santa is preparing to take to the streets again as the 19th annual sit out gets underway outside St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, next week. The 2019 Black Santa Appeal, which raises thousands of euros for local charities each year, will be officially launched on Tuesday December 17 at 1.30pm.
The Vicar of St Ann’s, Canon David Gillespie, will be joined by Archbishop Michael Jackson and the Lord Mayor of Dublin for the launch. And the pupils of Kildare Place School, under the direction of their principal Ian Packham, will provide the festive music.
The appeal will run outside St Ann’s right up until Christmas Eve and Canon Gillespie and parish volunteers will brave the elements to rattle their collection buckets each day. They will be joined by different choirs every lunchtime to spread Christmas cheer all along Dawson Street.
For almost two decades the Black Santa Sit Out has been raising funds for local good causes. During that time people have donated well over €600,000 with every cent raised going straight to the charities. There are no administration charges and the dedicated team of collectors, counters and caterers give their time free of charge.
Last year alone, €35,000 was raised by the appeal and was donated to a range of organisations including Barnardos, St Vincent de Paul, Simon, the Salvation Army, Protestant Aid, the Laura Lynn Foundation and the Solas Project.
The team will be outside St Ann’s from 10am to 6pm each day so if you’re in the city centre don’t forget to pop over for a chat and to make a donation.
The original Black Santa Sit Out began in Belfast in 1975 when Dean Sammy Crooks decided to stand outside St Anne’s Cathedral to raise funds for flood victims in Bangladesh. He became known as ‘Black Santa’ because of the long heavy clerical cloak he wore to keep warm. The tradition continues there to this day.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 235 6472
Mrs Lynn Glanville
dcodublin@gmail.com