07/01/2005

‘Black Santa’ tsunami appeal passes £1m mark

The ‘Black Santa’ tsunami appeal has broken the £1 million mark, the Dean of Belfast said today.

Dean Houston McKelvey, who will be collecting on the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral until Saturday, revealed the news on Friday.

He said: “Each of us have our own stories to tell of the individuals and groups that we have met.

“We have had the undoubted privilege of meeting people of immense character; truly great fellow humans of all ages who have been moved to give in such an immediate and generous way. We thank each one of them.”

Meanwhile, the two sisters who are travelling to Thailand to search for their Co Tyrone brother have arrived in the country.

Michelle McCaughey and Darina Duffin plan to stay in Thai resort of Phuket for a week as they search for their 31-year-old brother Conor Keightley who has not been heard from since the tsunami struck on Boxing Day.

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