Dean Houston McKelvey who restarted his annual "Black Santa" Christmas charity appeal in Belfast on Wednesday last week in response to the Asian tsunami disaster has reached the £1m mark.
There has been a mass response from members of the public, businesses, workers and sporting clubs, all turning up at the Cathedral to pour money into the "Black Santa" collecting barrels at Belfast's St Anne's Cathedral.
More money had arrived by post every day, said the Dean.
"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," said Dean McKelvey.
The Black Santas will be on the Cathedral steps for a final time on Saturday.
But the appeal will continue with the collecting barrels moved inside the cathedral where a team of volunteer stewards will take care of donations.
Dean McKelvey, who admits he had no idea how much people would donate when he decided to start the appeal, said : "We feel very proud of the community's response.
"It has come from every place in the province and from every aspect of life in this city and in this part of Ireland."