Two Ballinamallard ministers braved sub-zero temperatures as they completed their annual Christmas charity sit out in the village recently.

It was -10°C at 8am on Wednesday, December 14 as Reverend John Beacom of Ballinamallard and Trillick Methodist Church and Archdeacon Brian Harper of Magheracross Parish Church began their 12-hour sit out supporting Tearfund humanitarian aid for Ukraine and water projects in South East Kenya suffering severe drought.

A total of £5,144.75 was collected on the day which will be divided between the two charities.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Rev. Beacom noted that despite the freezing temperatures, he and Archdeacon Harper couldn't have asked for a warmer reception from businesses and members of the local community who showed their support of the day.

"Whenever we set up at 8am in the morning, the temperature was -10°C and whenever we were finishing in the evening at 8pm, it was still -7°C.

"It was challenging weather-wise but the businesses in the village and the people, they were constantly bringing us coffee and items to sustain us.

"Considering the weather, the generosity of the the local community was just so humbling. They took on the weather as well to come out and support us and took time to talk to us," he said.

Archdeacon Harper seconded this: "It was cold but it was very enjoyable and we had very good company. People were calling all the time."

Talking about the two charities that will benefit from the funds raised during the sit out, Archdeacon Harper said: "Some of the funds will go towards Tearfund, which is a charity that supports humanitarian relief all around the world but we're specifically directing ours towards Ukrainian humanitarian relief and then the other charity is called Water Drops.

"Water Drops is a small charity involved in building water reservoirs in eastern Africa where there's a lot of drought at the minute, the rains have failed for about three years."