The Christmas trees are up, the festive songs are playing in the shops and kids are counting down the days – but it is not officially Christmas in Newry until John Dalzell is perched in his trailer on Hill Street for his now famous sit-out. Last Year Newry’s Super Santa amazingly burst the £1m mark for the Southern Area Hospice. And despite turning 70 this month John has decided to continue his 10 day sit out – often in Baltic conditions – to raise further funds for the hospice in what will be his 20th year collecting. Regional Marketing Officer for the Hospice Sarah Colgan urged people to once again come out and show their support for John: “Every year John endures the cold weather to raise funds for the hospice and it is wonderful to see local businesses giving a helping hand to John in his famous sit-out. John’s sit-out brings a warmth and a sense of community spirit to Hill Street at Christmas and makes the area very special at this time of year. I hope people get their winter woolies on to show their support for both Hill Street and for John Dalzell this Christmas.” John who was awarded an MBE in 1998 for services to the community began his sit-out in 1992 raising £6,700. Last year he aimed to smash the £1m barrier as he sat on £933,000 – and the people of Newry and Mourne once again obliged by donating over £700,000 to many of his outlets across Newry taking a grand total of a whopping £1,003,251. And he’s not done yet. John and his squad will be on Hill Street from this Saturday (December 15). His sit-out will end with the Christmas Eve band Parade at 12pm and he asks that all bandsmen come along and give a little of their time to take part in the parade. If you would like to make a donation to the John Dalzell Sit Out Appeal in aid of the Southern Area Hospice Services, visit his sit-out on Hill Street or send donations to Southern Area Hospice Services, Freepost, BEL 3833, Newry BT34 2BR.
Newry Democrat
11th December 2012
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