First and Deputy First Ministers take part in cathedral service
Donations from the ‘Black Santa’ Christmas Sitout were presented to over 180 charities and community groups in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast at a special ‘Good Samaritans’ Service’ yesterday, Sunday 6th February 2011.
The presentations were made by Dame Mary Peters, HM Lieutenant for Belfast, the First Minister, Peter Robinson, MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, MLA.
The Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd Dr Houston McKelvey, said to the large congregation present, ‘I am delighted to welcome our three guests to what is perhaps the most representative gathering in the province of those who give voluntary service and raise funds for charities.
‘At a time when state funding is under threat due to the economic situation, I feel that the presence of the First and Deputy First Minster will convey to this particular congregation that the local administration is concerned and is supportive of the contribution they make to our entire community.’
The Dean paid tribute to ‘the personal and political journeys both of the ministers had taken to enable the peace process to its current state. It has the overwhelming support of all the people of Ireland. For thirty years, prayers for peace were offered daily in this cathedral. I regard the personal and political journeys taken by our First Ministers to be part of God’s response to those prayers.’
After each minister had presented cheques to a particular group of charities, they gave a short address. Both ministers were applauded by the congregation.
A Belfast couple who have raised over £1 million for Cancer Research, a centre in Ballymena which enables families and individuals deal with a range of addictions, and Rotary International for its response to disasters around the world are the recipients of the inaugural ‘Spire of Hope Awards’. The Spire of Hope rises bove the cathedral.
Last year Dean Houston McKelvey invited nominations of individuals and groups who had given outstanding service. The first Inaugural ‘Spire of Hope Award’ goes to two members of the Belfast Cathedral community – Stanley and Noreen McIlroy.
Dean McKelvey said, ‘For half a century they have organised collections for a variety of charities but in particular for Cancer Research for whom they have raised almost £1,000,000. I was in their home a couple of year’s ago when Noreen had fractured her leg and there she was with her leg strapped, resting on a stool, and on her lap a tray with piles of the small coins preparing yet another bank lodgement. They are a fantastic team who throughout their marriage have made an immeasurable contribution in their service to this Cathedral, Cancer Research, and several other charities.
The second inaugural ‘Spire of Hope Award’ is to The Hope Centre in Ballymena. This is a community-wide effort to raise awareness amongst all age groups of the dangers of addictions. This was an initiative established initially by families who were struggling with addictions themselves.
‘Whilst this is a challenge worldwide here is an example of good practice over ten years assisting churches, community groups, schools, families and individuals’, Dean McKelvey said. He thanked the Rector of Ballymena, Canon Stuart Lloyd for bringing this valuable work to his attention. The award was received by Billy Morgan and Trish Cathcart.
The third inaugural award is to Rotary International throughout Ireland in recognition of their Shelter Box scheme. ‘Shelter boxes contain the basic necessities of life.I saw them in use in Sri Lanka after the major Boxing Day tsunami’, Dean Mckelvey commented.
2010 not only marked their ten year anniversary but has also seen ShelterBox face some of their biggest challenges. Rotary International in the UK and Ireland deployed over 40,000 ShelterBoxes in response to 21 disasters, including the Haiti earthquake in January, the Pakistan floods in August and more recently the tsunami in Indonesia. The Award was received on behalf of Rotary International by Rotarian Ernest Lawson of the Portadown Branch.
Each of the recipients received an additional £1,000 for their charity and community work. Over £200,000 was raised by the ‘Black Santas’ Sitout’ which last Christmas took place during the extreme cold and in the snow.