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The Dean

of Belfast Cathedral

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DEAN

It is that time of the year for me, as Dean of Belfast, to make my request for your support for the 2025 Belfast Black Santa Appeal.   

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This is the 49th year of the Belfast Cathedral Black Santa Appeal, which has become a Belfast institution since the appeal was first launched by Dean Sammy Crooks in December 1976. Next year, the Black Santa Appeal will celebrate its 50th anniversary year. Over those years, millions of pounds has 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.

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For me, this my 8th year as “Black Santa”. I look forward to exceeding the amazing total which was achieved in 2024, when, through the generosity of so many people, over £200,000 was raised. That sum was distributed at the Good Samaritans Service, held last February, to some 106 different charities. This year, in 2025, the need from local charities is greater than ever. I hope that through your generosity and by our continued partnership with the professional services firm, PwC, we will be able to raise even more than last year.   

 

  

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Each year a wide range of local charities receive support from the Black Santa Appeal. These awards are made possible by the generosity of those individuals, companies and organisations who willingly give to Black Santa.   

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And as in each of the past 49 years, we also made our single overseas donation to support the incredible work of Christian Aid, who in 2025 have celebrated their 80th anniversary year. In September of 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. 

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However, 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. For the 2025 Black Santa Appeal, this focus will be on Charities working with three groups of people: 

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  • Charities which support individuals with a diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) 

  • Charities which support individuals with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 

  • Charities which support Children with a diagnosis of Arthritis. 

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Each of these conditions is life changing, and in many cases will become progressively more severe. A diagnosis can be 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. 

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I hope that, despite the continued economic difficulties which we all face, the generosity of individuals, companies and organisations will mean that we can exceed the amazing total of £210,000 raised in 2025.   

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Your generous contribution to the 2025 Black Santa Appeal will make a really significant difference to each of the charities we are able support. The powerful testimony of ten charities who received awards from last year’s appeal can be viewed on our dedicated Black Santa website: www.belfastblacksanta.org.  

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And this year there are even more ways by which you can make your donation:  

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  • By scanning the QR code  

  • By BACS direct transfer to the Black Santa Appeal, Bank of Ireland Account.   
    Name “St Annes Parish No 4 Sitout Account”, Sort Code 90-21-27, Account Number 60907288. Please mark your BACS payment “Belfast Black Santa 24”  

  • You can write a cheque to the “Belfast Black Santa Appeal” and post it to:  
    Belfast Black Santa Appeal, Belfast Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. BT1 2HB.  

  • OR you can make your donation in person to Black Santa or one of his helpers,. We will be standing on the cathedral steps from Monday 15th December until Christmas Eve (9.30am to 4.30pm – Excluding 21st December). And this year, once again, you will be able to make a card donation on the cathedral steps with our new hand held card machine.   

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So this year, once again, may I thank you for your incredible generosity, ensuring that local charities can continue to give their help and support to those most at need across the whole year. Thank you 

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