Almost £171,000 has been raised following December’s Black Santa sit-out on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
The incredible total - £170,928.22 - far exceeded the target of Dean Stephen Forde, who had aimed to collect £130,000 during the traditional sit-out, which began in 1976 by then-Dean Sammy Crooks.
December was Dean Forde’s sixth year donning the black robes and hat, and he was assisted during the sit-out by assistant Black Santas from the Cathedral clergy team and other supporters.
Part of the money raised by generous passers-by will assist small local charities in helping families face the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Other groups to benefit will include charities working with people impacted by drug abuse in the north, and groups offering bereavement support services in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
