The annual 'Black Santa' sit out by the Dean of St Anne's Cathedral collects several hundred thousand pounds a year.
The tradition of the Black Santa - so called because of the heavy dark clothing he wears against the winter weather - was started in 1976. The current dean is Reverend Stephen Forde who will spend every day for a fortnight outside the Church of Ireland cathedral in Donegall Street in all weathers collecting cash for nominated charities.Reverend Forde said he decided they would be helped when a centre which supports refugees was targeted in an arson attack earlier this year.Reverend Forde said people often brought their children down to teach them that Christmas was about more than just receiving presents.
"They will often say Christmas can be about presents and people looking for all the presents that they can get, but teaching children that it's about giving and generosity as well.
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