Launch of Black Santa Appeal 2024

Monday November 18th 2024

Dean Stephen Forde has launched this year’s Black Santa Appeal at Belfast Cathedral.

The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, has launched the 2024 Black Santa Appeal, with charities now invited to apply for a grant.

The Appeal, established by Dean Sammy Crooks in December 1976, is now in its 48^th year, and while the Dean will be on the steps in the days before Christmas collecting funds in his familiar barrel, you can make an online donation now!

Since that first Black Santa Sit-out in 1976, millions of pounds have been raised on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral, with every penny given away again to support local and international charities, large and small.

Launching the 2024 appeal, Dean Forde said: “This will be my seventh year as ‘Black Santa.’ I look forward to exceeding the amazing total which was achieved last year when, through the generosity of so many people, £171,000 was raised. That sum was distributed at the Good Samaritans Service, held last February, to some 120 different charities.

“This year, in 2024, the need from local charities is greater than ever. I hope that through your generosity and by our continued partnership with professional services firm PwC, we will be able to raise even more than we did last year.”

FOCUS

In 2024, the Black Santa Appeal will have a special focus on charities working for two groups of younger people who have particular need in our community.

The Dean said that a BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight programme I am not OK, which aired last September, shone a light on the intense challenges faced by families living with the daily realities of a family member with autism.

“Yet support for those charities working to help these families has reduced significantly in recent years. Some of your donations to the 2024 Black Santa Appeal will be applied directly to charities working to help this particular group of children, teenagers and their families,” Dean Forde said.

A second focus this year will be to help those charities working to prevent young people, particularly those with a lived experience of care, from finding themselves homeless as they move to independent living.

To Apply for an Award from the 2024 Appeal please download the application form at the bottom of this page on Belfast Cathedral’s website.

Application forms must be returned by December 17.

The Sit-out will run from Monday December 16 until Christmas Eve, with the exception of Sunday December 22.