Belfast Cathedral Haiti Appeal passes £100,000 mark

Wednesday February 3rd 2010

Dean McKelvey presents a cheque to Margaret Boden of Christian Aid. The money will go directly to help victims of the Haiti earthquake. Phot: Alan Lewis Photopess Belfast.More than £100,000 has been donated in just over a fortnight through ‘The Barrel for Haiti’ in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

The Dean of Belfast, Dr Houston McKelvey, said: “Donations have kept coming from businesses, offices, clubs, parishes and individuals.

“One Belfast electrical business sent £2,000, the staff at Newtownabbey Council had a magnificent collection and each contributor gift-aided their donation individually, two young lads brought in a box and left without even giving their names. They had organised a fund-raising event and contributed several hundred pounds.”
 
The Dean went on: “Bags of coins are still arriving. Such generosity still amazes me.”

£50,000 from the barrel has already been sent to Haiti through Christian Aid-Ireland.

The Barrel for Haiti will remain in the Cathedral until February 7 when the annual Good Samaritans' Service is held at which representatives of local charities and community groups will receive donations from the customary pre-Christmas Sitout which raised £255,000.

The barrel is just inside the front door of the cathedral and the Cathedral Stewards and staff will welcome visitors. Gift Aid envelopes are available. The Cathedral is open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 4.30pm on Sundays.

Donations can be made by post to The Dean, Belfast Cathedral, Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2HB. Cheques should be made payable to Belfast Cathedral – Haiti.

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