After many years as Ballymoney Black Santa, Liam Beckett has decided that 2019 is the year he starts to hand over the role to someone else.
Ballymoney born Liam will this year transition the role of Ballymoney Black Santa to another local and familiar face around the town, popular country singer Alastair Coyles.
Alastair has been involved for a couple of years in helping with the annual collection, so was Liam’s first choice as his successor.
Speaking about handing it over to Alastair, Liam said;
“I wanted someone who was well respected & supports cross Community and thought Alastair is the man.”
The rotary club also work in close partnership with the Black Santa collection, providing support with organising, banking and distributing the money raised each year.
With this being the transition year for Ballymoney Black Santa, Alastair will take over the reigns completely for Christmas 2020.
In the meantime Liam will still, for this year at least, be welcoming your donations towards his and Alastair’s chosen charities.
The collection will benefit 6 charities this year at the Diamond from 12th to 24th December.
The charities are: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Samaritans, CAN Compass Advocacy Network, The Salvation Army, Drop Inn Ministries and this year the addition of the NI Childrens Hospice.
Black Santa Launch
To get it all started, the Black Santa Launch will take place at Ballymoney Royal British Legion on Thursday 28th November with a night of Country music with a host of Alastairs friends contributing to the show.
The show starts at 8pm with doors opening at 7.30pm & is only £5 admission which is payable at door.
