The annual Christmas sit-out by two ministers in Ballinamallard has raised over £6,000 for charity.

The Archdeacon of Clogher, the Venerable Brian Harper, Rector of Magheracross Parish and the Reverend John Beacom of Ballinamallard Methodist Church were well wrapped up for their 12-hour Christmas sit-out for charity on Wednesday December 19 from 8am to 8pm.

Taking up “residence” in a gazebo on the pavement outside Magheracross Parish Church, Ballinamallard, they received plenty of support from members of their own congregations and passers-by, raising a total of £6,067.31 on the day for their chosen charities.

This year, the charities supported by the two ministers are the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Enniskillen and CLIC Sargent, a national charity supporting children and young people with cancer.

Throughout the day, local businesses provided hot food and refreshments to keep the two ministers well nourished during their long sit-out.

Commenting on this year’s sit-out, Archdeacon Harper said: “It was cold but pleasant and we had people calling all the time, there were very few times when we had nobody with us.”

He added: “I would like to say a big thank you to everybody who stopped as they came through the village.”

Rev. Beacom said: “It was a humbling experience to see so many people coming, to get the opportunity to talk and to see their generosity.”

“The amount that was raised was way above expectation,” he added.

Late donations were to be received up until Christmas Day and the total is to be forwarded on to the two charities.