The annual Black Santa Sit Out fundraiser at St Ann's church in Dublin has been launched by Lord Mayor Hazel Chu and the Church of Ireland Archbishop Michael Jackson.
The appeal, which is now in its 20th year, sees volunteers stationed outside the church on Dawson St collecting money, but a notable absence this year will be that of the choirs, in line with public health guidelines due to Covid-19.
Despite the lack of festive singing, St Ann's vicar, Canon David Gillespie and his team will still take to the street to collect funds until Christmas Eve, according to the Irish Times.
Those who cannot get as far as St Ann's can for the first time choose to donate online to the church's website with all funds going to charities including the Simon Community, the Peter McVerry Trust, Barnardo's, St Vincent de Paul and the Laura Lynn Foundation.
The fundraiser gained its name from the heavy black coats worn by the clergy men raising funds, having being modelled off a similar pre-Christmas collection carried out by St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.
