A COMPANY which raises awareness of homelessness has vowed to continue to operate a stall at Belfast Christmas Market despite it being targeted in a robbery.
The OutsideIn stall in the grounds of city hall was robbed at around 4.45pm on Thursday.
David Johnston, founder of OutsideIn said two men approached the stall and snatched a bag of cash after one of two members of staff had left to buy a coffee.
Speaking to BBC NI, he said: "The bag was tied to the end of the table and they snatched it. After a bit of a struggle, they made off".
"Another stall holder ran off after them but they got away," he said.
Mr Johnston said the member of staff was not injured but left shaken, adding the amount of cash taken was "substantial".
Following the robbery, Mr Johnston said the stall would continue to operate.
For each hat sold, OutsideIn gives another one to a homeless person.
"Last year was our first year at the Christmas Market, where communicating our vision of ending homelessness was well supported," said Mr Johnston.
"I hope they understand that they are not just robbing us, they are robbing the most vulnerable people in society.
"We have donated more than 15,500 hats and blankets to the homeless in a year and a half.
"It will not deter us. We have been blown away by the support shown to us in the hours since the robbery happened".
Police have appealed for information.
