NEWRY'S Black Santa will this week begin his annual sit-out in aid of the Southern Area Hospice.
John Dalzell will take his usual spot in Marcus Square on Hill Street on Saturday.
It marks 31 years since he began the sit-out with his fundraising efforts gathering almost two million pounds for the hospice.
Usually dedicating 10 days to the sit-out, this year Mr Dalzell will be stationed in Newry for two weeks and will also be helped by a team of volunteers collecting across the city.
Mr Dalzell said the sit-out comes ahead of his 81st birthday later this month, as he vowed to continue fundraising as long as he can.
"I really don’t know where the years have gone, they have flown by and now I really cannot imagine Christmas without collecting for the hospice," he said.
"Many people thought I would stop last year when I was 80 - but I have no notion of it. I will be there every Christmas for as long as I am able, to help the local people who need the hospice.
"Last year we had the big milestones of my 80th birthday and the team celebrating 30 years of the sit-out and I wondered how we could beat that.
"Then I realised this year is special too because it’s another year where I am fit to continue and I know that the money we raise will really help the hospice, and at the end of the day that’s what it’s really all about."
To donate online, please visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/johndalzell22.
