Festive volunteers

Black Santa, Houston McKelvey, St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

The Very Reverend Dr Houston McKelvey, 63, inherited the role of Black Santa when he took up the position as dean at Belfast Cathedral five years ago. The cathedral is renowned for its 29 year Black Santa tradition in which a volunteer stands at the front steps with a barrel accepting donations. The funds are distributed to charities throughout Northern Ireland and some is donated to Christian Aid.

Houston is no stranger to volunteering, as he has volunteered virtually all his life, from fundraising around doors as a child to volunteering as a youth worker at 18. Before taking up the role as Black Santa he was the district commissioner for Lisburn Scouts. He has not given up scouting altogether since he is still the chaplain to County Antrim Scout Council.

Although the dean appears to be the only volunteer, there is an entire operation taking place behind the scenes. It takes six months to organise and carry out the Black Santa tradition. It needs a team of 20 volunteers to mail thousands of contacts appeal information, take applications from charities, count money and man the barrel; everyone involved is a volunteer.

The dean said: "The Black Santa and the sit out is an essential part of the cathedral's ministry. It is fitting that the cathedral is the focal point of the community's Christian heart at Christmas time. It focuses on charity which, St Paul said, is the greatest of Christian gifts. The Black Santa tradition evokes this spirituality at Christmas.

"The Bank of Ireland also helps the cathedral by counting all change below a pound. People in Northern Ireland are very generous, some save their change all year round and leave it over to the cathedral in bottles and tins; we're very grateful for it, it contributes a large part of our donations".

"I wouldn't be the person I am today without the influence volunteers have had on my life. My Sunday school teacher and scout master were significant figures in my life".

Melanie Fox, Barnardo's

Melanie Fox, a 35 year old physics teacher in Lurgan, is married with two small children. She fundraises for Barnardo's through the 'Barnardo's Helpers Group' as one of a team of volunteer bag packers in the months leading up to Christmas.

Barnardo's believes that all children need to grow up in a family that can cope, in an environment where they are nurtured, valued and experience stability. The funds that Melanie helps to raise support Barnardo's groups across Northern Ireland to accomplish this.

As well as bag packing, her volunteering role involves scheduling 14 bag packing volunteers to cover one Saturday in September, November and December. It takes 14 volunteers to cover three tills in the morning and four in the afternoon and the volunteers work in shifts.

"I feel that the best way to help those less fortunate than ourselves is through action - it's more worthwhile," Melanie commented. "Most of the volunteers are in their 20s and 30s with young families and we felt that volunteering with Barnardo's was fitting because they work towards improving the quality of life that children experience.

"I got involved when I contacted a friend in Barnardo's to see if there were any volunteering opportunities. I learned that Barnardo's considered forfeiting the bag packing fundraiser due to lack of volunteers, myself and the other volunteers were happy to step in."

Annie Cook, Salvation Army

Annie Cook, 55, is a married teacher with grown up children.

She began volunteering through the Salvation Army and has volunteered with the Belfast Temple Salvation Army on Christmas day for 17 years. One of the many projects it undertakes is to organise seasonal festivities for those in the local community who are alone over the holiday by bringing everyone together for a special Christmas day.

"My role is to coordinate Christmas dinner and all the associated parts of the day which make it a special occasion for approximately 60 people attending," Annie said. "I couldn't do it alone and am really grateful for the terrific band of people who so willingly volunteer with me each year. I start by drawing up a rota to arrange transportation for those who need it - either by mini bus or volunteer car drivers. Our guests can come along to the Christmas morning service or just come for dinner - it's up to each individual.

"We decorate the hall on Christmas Eve and set the tables. Then on the day we'll provide a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. We try to make it a very enjoyable and relaxing time and we make sure we have plenty of time to chat with everyone.

"After dessert we organise some entertainment, have a sing song etc, then finish off with a cuppa and mince pie. Everyone gets a small gift and the volunteer drivers leave everyone who needs a lift home, while the rest of us tackle the washing up! I couldn't imagine not doing this on Christmas day - I'd feel selfish sitting at home knowing there were people all alone looking at their own four walls. We've always brought the children along and so the family have got used to having our family Christmas on Boxing day!

"We don't charge for Christmas dinner and are very grateful to the local businesses which assist by providing produce and soft drinks. Belfast Temple Salvation Army fundraises throughout the year in order to subsidise the remaining costs including gifts for each guest. We really try to pull out all the stops and make those who attend feel special".

Grainne Sproule - Foyle Women's Aid

Grainne Sproule, 51, has four grown up children and volunteers as an outreach worker for Foyle Women's Aid. She also volunteers to coordinate Christmas at the centre.

Foyle Women's Aid offers 24 hour refuge to women and children who are escaping domestic violence. Its outreach programme offers one-to-one support to women (in their homes or at the centre) who don't want to stay in the refuge. The aim is to help women build their confidence and take control of their life again - domestic violence is about power. The centre takes in about 350 women and 500 children a year.

Grainne said: "We tend to get a lot of women to come to the centre for refuge over the Christmas holidays; it's our busiest time of the year. There is a high increase in domestic violence at this time of year as families tend to be home together and sometimes alcohol is involved. Many of the women arrive with literally just the clothes on their backs because they've had to leave so quickly, so obviously the children have had to leave Santa behind also.

"Christmas can hold many bad memories for the women and children. Foyle Women's Aid wants to give them back the positive experience of Christmas. We go to town on the decorations for the children and I organise events and presents for all the women and children at the centre. We have been very lucky; last year one lady left us three boxes of old style American Christmas decorations.

"We try to give each child one token present at our Christmas 'firesafe' event and a special present on Christmas day. We also keep a selection of presents in stock for those that will inevitably join us over Christmas. The firesafe event is courtesy of the Northland Road Fire Brigade in Derry; they do a Santa routine for the children and let the kids sit in the fire engine.

"Most of the women have nothing with them so they need underwear, clothes, toiletries and towels. We also give them candles as presents too; they can use them in the quiet room (no TV or noise) or in the bath where they can sit back and relax - something they haven't done in a long time. The money for the presents is donated by the public during our flag day, which is a fundraising day throughout Derry taking donations from the public.

"At Christmas we supply all the produce but let the women do their own Christmas, everyone has their own tradition on how they spend Christmas day. To see the children's bright eyes and the women happy because you have helped give them a magic Christmas validates what I do all year round".

If you would like to volunteer, call your local volunteer bureau on the Volunteering Freephone 0800 052 2212 to find out how you can get involved.