Davy raises an amazing £47,000

Coleraine’s Caring Caretaker collected a staggering £31,000 on the streets of Coleraine following his 19 day sit out - this brings his total for the year to an amazing £47,000 - his best to date!

Speaking to the Coleraine Times last week, Davy said he was “overwhelmed” by the generosity of not just the people of Coleraine, but those who donated from across the Province.

“As usual I got donations from across Northern Ireland,” told Davy.

“It was very wet and cold this year. I had freezing fog and a number of really wet days to deal with - it was hard, but I am really delighted with the total,” said Davy.

With six layers of clothes to peel off on Christmas Eve as his sit out concluded, Davy said he couldn’t wait to get home and “defrost”.

“ I just can’t thank everyone enough.

“To be honest I am exhausted, but I am still on a high!

“Young people get a rough ride so often, but I was really encouraged by the number of young people who came over to chat and donate.

“I want to thank all those who donated, the staff of Martha’s House who supplied me with food every day, the PSNI for protection on the street, the local media for keeping me in the spotlight, ‘Elements Clothing’ for supplying my thermals and waterproofs, Rev Robert McMullan, Coleraine Football Club and the Minster and congregation of St Patrick’s and of course my counters and my wife Teresa.

“Teresa, my wife, was magnificent making sure my clothes were washed and dried every evening for me to start afresh again the next day.

“My counters had a hard job every evening, but we got there in the end and I am really chuffed with the total.”

Davy will be handing over cheques to his chosen charities: Chest, Heart and Stroke, Ulster Cancer Foundation, NI Children to Lapland Trust, Defibrillator at the Heart of Every Game, Community Rescue Service, Spina Bifida, Friends of Willowbrook, Blind Centre and Callum’s Chance of Sight; in the New Year.

And the big question on everyone’s lips - will he be doing the same again in 2013?

“If I’m fit and able I’ll be back in 2013,” said Davy!