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Black Santa back on the steps of Belfast Cathedral

Monday December 15th 2025

Dean Stephen Forde is joined at the launch of Black Santa 2025 by members of Belfast Lough Sailability.

Dean Stephen Forde, aka Belfast’s Black Santa, is back on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral for his 49^th annual sit-out for charities. [PHOTO GALLERY BELOW]

This year’s sit-out, which began on Monday December 15, was launched in more ways than one! Firstly, after a sustaining breakfast provided by the Dock Café in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, the Dean was launched onto the waves in a boat courtesy of Belfast Lough Sailablity.

Accompanied by members of Belfast Lough Sailability – one of 108 local charities which received a share of the £200,000 raised by the Dean’s Black Santa Appeal in 2024 – the Dean sailed the Big Fish at Donegall Quay, and from there he and his companions made their way to the Cathedral on foot for the official launch of the appeal.

In the course of a busy few hours, the Dean spoke to and posed for the Media; welcomed the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tracy Kelly who made a donation and donned a clerical cloak to support Black Santa; welcomed a large group from Belfast Met who arrived to make a donation; greeted an old schoolfriend from way back in the day; and introduced several groups of tourists to a great Belfast tradition which has been ongoing for almost five decades.

And that was all before noon!

Dean Forde, supported by Bishops, Canons and clergy from the Cathedral, will be on the steps of St Anne’s daily until Wednesday December 24, with the exception of Sunday December 21. This is Dean Forde’s eighth charity sit-out. Joining him at the launch were the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Rev David McClay, and the Rev Canon Stephen Fielding, rector of St John’s, Malone.

“As I continue the legacy created by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976, when 49 years ago he held the first ‘Dean of Belfast’s Christmas Appeal,’ I know that once more the people of Belfast and far beyond will take this Appeal to their hearts and you will be as generous as ever,” Dean Forde said.

“In 2024, I was overwhelmed that we were able to raise over £200,000 which was distributed to 108 local charities, each with a registered income of less than £250,000. These are the smaller charities, which do not have their own fundraising departments, but which each offer incredible support to their own local communities.”

Joining Dean Stephen Forde and Bishop David McClay for a stint as Balack Santa is Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly.

As in each of the past 49 years, the Appeal also made a single overseas donation to support the work of Christian Aid, which this year has celebrated its 80^th anniversary.

“In September this year, I had the opportunity to visit Kenya and Burundi in East Africa with the CEO and Chair of Christian Aid Ireland to see for myself how your donations make a life-changing difference to communities who experience extreme poverty, and the consequences of brutal civil war,” Dean Forde said.

In addition to the wide range of charities supported annually, each year the Black Santa Appeal has a special focus on a group of charities working in a particular area. This year’s Appeal will focus on Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and children with arthritis.

Dean Forde said: “Each of these conditions is life changing, and in many cases will become progressively more severe. A diagnosis is devastating. Sometimes even the fittest of sports personalities can be given such a diagnosis that will impact every aspect of their own life, and that of their closest families.

“For many who live with such a diagnosis, life can become increasingly isolated for themselves and those who provide their day-to-day care. That is why charities working in these fields provide such vital and important support, day and night.

“It is my hope that, despite the continued economic difficulties we all face, the generosity of individuals, companies and organisations will mean that we can exceed the amazing total raised in 2024.”

This year you can support the 2025 Black Santa Appeal in a number of ways:

By giving online, at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast: Belfast Black Santa Sitout Appeal 2025
By cheque to ‘Belfast Black Santa Appeal’ mailed to Belfast Black Santa Appeal, Belfast Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2HB.
Use the QR code (right)
By BACS direct transfer. Please contact the Cathedral office on 028 9032 8332 (Office Hours) for BACS details.
By donating in person during the annual sit-out.