Queues of people of all ages, creeds and colours came to the donations barrel outside the Cathedral.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Tom Ekin, put his full weight behind the appeal and asked that every citizen of Belfast donate £1. Almost £1 per head of population in Northern Ireland was donated.

The volume of coin was such that a porters trolley was used by a team of Sextons and Stewards through the Cathedral to where volunteers counted cash...and more cash.

Billy, one of the sextons, with a new form of dry stone walling. 600 bags of coin were shifted on one delivery to the bank.

Working on the chain gang! Billy, David and Campbell.

The first cheque for half a million pounds was presented to Mrs Margaret Boden within nine days. George Jones who had promoted the Sitout at the Ireland Showband Show in Belfast and Dublin was present with members of the Black Santa team.

Schools, clubs, businesses, churches, firefighters and community groups all sent donations. Here the Dean receives a cheque from the pupils and parents of Inchmarlo.

It was not long before the £1 million pounds mark was reached. The second cheque for half a million pounds was presented to Dr Duleep Mukarji, London based Director of Christian Aid. Here the countiing team celebrate - Thanks a Million.

The third cheque bringing the total raised to over £1,470,000 was presented by the Lord Mayor to Lady Christine Eames, a board member of Christian Aid, at the annual Sitout Service. Cheques to over 130 local charities were also presented from the pre-Christmas Sitout.

The Cathedrals track record over 28 years of Sitouts evoked the trust of the community. Thank you to all who donated. It was an experience beyond words.