Samaritans of Ballymena is a volunteer run service who every day deal with people who are in crisis. They deal with people who have addictions, relationship breakdowns, money worries and those considering taking their own lives. The service is funded by donations from the public and over the last number of years they have seen a decline in the number which they receive.

The money from the Black Santa sit out is vital for them to be able to pay their bills and keep their service going. What they receive quite literally “keeps the lights on”.