Donning the cloak and taking up mantle for charitable causes
Dr Who fans will know that 2018 sees a new actor taking on the role of the travelling Time Lord, as Jodie Whittaker becomes the 13th Dr Who to keep fans of the programme on the edge of their seats.
The process that sees one version of Dr Who transformed into the next is given the term ‘regeneration’ and, from memory, it can be quite a traumatic process.
The process of ‘regeneration’ is thankfully not one which the new Dean of Belfast needs to undergo.
However, today I am ‘taking up the mantle’ by wrapping up warm in the traditional black cloak to become the fifth Black Santa to stand on the steps of Belfast Cathedral and launch the 41st Black Santa sit-out.
In two months’ time, on February 4, I will be installed as the 14th Dean of Belfast. As I prepare to leave Larne and take up my new role, I cannot but be amazed by how many people across Belfast and far beyond identify with Black Santa and the annual sit-out.
Since Dean Crooks donned the cloak as the first Black Santa in 1976, truly amazing sums of money have been donated to the appeal. I hope that this year will be no different.
Last January, almost 200 charities, most local to Northern Ireland, received much-needed financial support from the 2016 Black Santa Appeal.
This year, as ‘Black Santa in training’, I hope that people from near and far will help me and Santa’s team of helpers to continue a wonderful tradition that wraps everyone in the mantle of generosity that is a Belfast Christmas. You can also donate to the 2017 Black Santa Appeal by:
Cheque (made payable to Sit-out and posted to: Belfast Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2HB)
BACS transfer to: Bank of Ireland, sort code 90-21-27, account number 60907288
Online by clicking the Donate Now button at www.belfastcathedral.org (scroll down to Black Santa Sit-out Appeal)