Clogher ‘Black Santa’ efforts raise over £2,000 for Samaritans
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Pictured are the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt. Rev John McDowell, Mr Michael Wright, director of Omagh Samaritans, Canon Noel Regan and Rev Alistair SJ. Warke.
A SPECIAL fundraising event to raise awareness of the work of the Samaritans has raised over £2,000.
The fundraising drive was held outside St Macartan's Cathedral in Clogher on Friday, December 23, with Canon Noel Regan taking on the role of 'Black Santa' and 'sitting out' from 9am to 7pm to help raise funds for the Samaritans.
The Samaritans organisation was Canon Regan's focus as he braved the weather to not only raise funds for the 24-hour support helpline, but also to increase awareness of the invaluable work and role of the charity. Although this was the first year the event was run by in Clogher, it has, in previous years, been carried out in Belleek.
A spokesperson for the Samaritans described the event as "very successful".
“The Black Santa day went very well and was very well supported by the public. We are very grateful to everyone who contributed on the day and to Canon Regan for his time in helping to raise the profile of the Samaritans."
The spokesperson further pointed out that the Samaritans are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week at the end of the phone and every phone call is answered by a trained volunteer and treated in the strictest confidence.
Added the spokesperson: "Samaritans provide a safe and confidential place for people to talk and explore their feelings and options. People contact us about a wide-ranging number of problems including loneliness, physical health matters, mental health and family concerns."
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