ALMOST one year on from a deliberate fire at a building which supports refugees in Northern Ireland, the 2021 Belfast Black Santa campaign is raising awareness of displaced people and hoping to tackle prejudice.
The fire at the Multi-Cultural Association took place on the day that the charities which benefited from the 2020 fundraiser were brought together in celebration by the Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral. The fire was judged a deliberate hate crime by the police.
Dean Stephen Forde felt the power of this year’s fundraising appeal, now in its 45th year, should be focused on supporting refugees and helping to create a more inclusive society for all.
"The intolerance of difference is the root cause of many of our problems in Northern Ireland," he explained.
"Yet we know that our communities can be sources of incredible support and love for people. I hope to use the appeal this year to tackle prejudice and misconception, and to change the reality for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
"Fortunately, few of us will experience what forces some people to flee as refugees. Those who come here because of their fear of persecution for reasons such as race, religion or sexuality do so because they believe they will be safer in this place.
"But the likelihood of a minority ethnic person experiencing a racist attack in Northern Ireland is 17 times higher than a person from a Catholic or Protestant background experiencing a sectarian attack."
Dean Forde said he hoped the Black Santa appeal would go "some way to supporting the people who need it most".
"As a society, and as individuals, we need to do more to stand up to hate crime in Northern Ireland," he said.
The Black Santa sit out campaign was started in 1976 by Dean Sammy Crooks. All the money gathered is donated to local charities, with a proportion given to Christian Aid. None of the money raised goes to the Cathedral.
As well as charities which support refugees, the money raised by this year’s appeal will support over 200 other local charities, including those which care for people with disabilities, children and the elderly; the improvement of employment opportunities for young people and a host of small charities that can’t afford paid fund-raisers.
The funds raised in the weeks before Christmas are distributed to charities at the Good Samaritans' Service, held in the Cathedral early in the year following each sit-out.
"It’s an honour to continue this tradition and to help people support over 200 charities in Northern Ireland," said Dean Forde.
"The continuing impact of the pandemic means fundraising for charities has once again been impacted severely and this campaign is a really important source of help.
"The Black Santa appeal is something I look forward to every year, and I know that it’s a Christmas tradition for many people.
"This year we’re delighted to be supported by some of Northern Ireland’s influencers on social media, and I hope it will mean the beginning of a new tradition for many more people."
The professional services firm PwC is once again supporting the Cathedral with volunteers to deliver an online campaign to complement the sit-out in Donegall Street.
Last year more than 30 volunteers worked on the campaign, helping to raise £260,000 for the appeal.
"It’s a privilege to support Dean Forde as well as the many charity organisations across Northern Ireland for a second year through the Belfast Black Santa campaign," said Lynne Rainey, PwC Partner and Purpose Lead in NI.
"The juxtaposition of the Good Samaritan’s Service taking place at the same time as the attack on the Multi-Cultural Association highlights the importance of this year’s focus from the Cathedral," she said.
"No-one wants to become a refugee but those who are forced to deserve help and support. Our society is at its best when it's inclusive and welcoming, and we all benefit from increased diversity and learning from other cultures. I hope everyone gets behind this year’s appeal."
The annual Black Santa sit-out starts on Monday December 13 and will run until Christmas Eve. People can visit the Cathedral in Donegall Street in Belfast city centre and donate directly to the appeal's famous barrel either through cash donations or via contactless transaction. The appeal website (belfastblacksanta.org) will accept online donations throughout December.
Another way of showing support is by purchasing original merchandise created to support the Black Santa appeal, including a beanie hat designed by the local artist James Ashe and made by the social enterprise Orchardville.
