A SANTA sporting L-plates yesterday launched the annual charity sit-out on the steps of St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.
Dean-elect, Archdeacon Stephen Forde took part on day one of the Black Santa sit-out as he learns the ropes in preparation for becoming the bona fide 'Black Santa' next year.
Regarded as one of the great traditions of Christmas in Belfast, the cathedral is between Deans over the festive period, which means that a team of Black Santas will ensure that the sit-out continues uninterrupted.
The sit-out was founded by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976 who wanted to raise funds for charitable causes. He sat outside St Anne’s in the week before Christmas with a small barrel for donations, wearing his black, Anglican clerical cloak.
He was dubbed Dean Crooks Belfast’s Black Santa and the name stuck and so the annual tradition began.
This year, canons of the cathedral and other staff, dressed in black, will be on the cathedral steps each day until Saturday and are urging people to support the appeal.
Dean’s vicar, the Rev Canon Mark Niblock, said that over the past four decades, the "collection has become bigger than one person".
"We will be on the steps of the cathedral come rain, snow, hail or gale, and look forward to greeting people as they pass by or call in to support this appeal which raises vital funds for around 200 local charities," he said.
