'Black Santa' says thanks for Haiti support

The Londonderry man managed to collect an incredible 21,000 euros in just three-and-a-half days at the weekend as parishioners and members of the public responded overwhelmingly to his humanitarian appeal.

Rev. Gillespie decided to take to the street outside St Ann's in Dawson Street on Thursday as news filtered through of the full extent of the humanitarian nightmare in Hispaniola and the Church of Ireland launched its Bishops' Appeal for quake victims.

Over the weekend the Vicar and his clergy colleagues sat out accepting donations which will go towards established relief agencies.

Remarkably, the clergyman - a reporter and deputy editor with the Londonderry Sentinel until 1999 when he moved to Dublin to study for the ministry - managed to raise more money last weekend than was raised in the traditional Black Santa appeal before Christmas.

"We finished up on Monday afternoon but are still accepting donations," said the minister. "People are still coming into the Church with money and so far we have raised 21,000 euros.

"We have been absolutely delighted that people responded in the way they did, they've responded so well."

Rev. Gillespie said the money would now be channelled via the Church of Ireland Bishops' appeal to the Children's Aid charity, which will deliver aid to Haiti.

The Faughan Valley High School old boy also said it was amazing the lengths people have gone to help.

"I had one young girl come up with her father and she actually emptied the contents of her piggy bank for the appeal," he explained.

"And at the other end of the spectrum an elderly lady made her way up from the quays and took 100 euros out of her purse and put it in.

"She then said 'wait a minute' and emptied the entire contents of her purse. She said, 'I think I'll give the lot. I don't need it. They do.'

"She must have given between 500 and 600 euros," he added.

Such selflessness perhaps explains why the three day Haiti fundraiser exceeded Rev Gillespie's eight day advent appeal that raised a respectable 17,500 euros for the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Dublin homeless.

"The tragedy in Haiti has made many people aware of the fact that even though there is an economic downturn we are still a fortunate and wealthy country. I wanted to express my solidarity with those who were suffering in Haiti and provide a practical way in which Dubliners can contribute towards the relief of those who need our help," he said.

Rev Gillespie, was appointed as Vicar of St Ann's and St Stephen's Churches in December 2008. He had previously been Rector of Moy (Dungannon, Co Tyrone) in the Diocese of Armagh.

Born in 1968 in Londonderry, he worked as a journalist with the Sentinel before hisordination as a Deacon in 2001 and a Priest the following year.

In 2001, he was appointed Curate in Agherton (Portstewart, Co Derry) in the Diocese of Connor and in 2004 was appointed Rector of Moy. In his spare time David enjoys walking, reading, swimming and travel, particularly to Spain.

St Ann's and St Stephen's are two of Dublin's best known churches. Built in 1707, St Ann's on Dawson Street is situated close to the Mansion House and many Lord Mayors have worshipped in the Church.

Others who have worshipped in the Church were historical figures such as Thomas Barnardo, Hugh Lane, Bram Stoker, Wolfe Tone and Douglas Hyde.

St Stephen's is known to many Dubliners as "the pepper canister" from the distinctive tower. As well as being active centres of worship, both are also regular venues for concerts, recitals and other musical events.