With just 11 days to go until Darkness into Light on May 11, Pieta, supported by Electric Ireland, are calling on as many Donegal people as possible to join them in the unique fundraiser.
In Donegal, 5,889 people walked in solidarity in Darkness into Light last year.
And it is hoped that even more will take part in 2019 to raise funding and awareness for the prevention of suicide and self-harm and the promotion of positive mental health. 392 people took their own lives in Ireland in 2017.
This year, over 200,000 people are expected to come together in the pre-dawn hours in 19 countries across 5 continents to take part in the global movement of Darkness Into Light.
There are 12 events in Donegal this year at Arranmore Island, Buncrana, Bundoran, Carndonagh, Carrick, Donegal Town, Falcarragh, Gweedore, Letterkenny, Maghery, Rathmullen and Tory Island.
Last year, Darkness into Light walkers raised €6 million from the event, of which €800,000 was raised across international venues.
2019 marks the 7th year Electric Ireland have walked alongside Pieta to bring hope to customers, staff and communities across Ireland that have been affected by suicide. To join the thousands of people around Ireland who are taking part in this year’s Darkness into Light 5k walk, go to www.darknessintolight.ie.
The funds raised from Darkness into Light help to keep Pieta centers open, offering free therapy, the 24 /7 Helpline line, education and bereavement counselling for people in need of support. In 2018, over 8,000 clients were supported with face to face therapy by Pieta experts.
Irene Hehir, from Ennis, is one of the many thousands of people who have experienced challenging times and sought the help of Pieta. She said: “Almost 2 years ago during a time of deep crisis Pieta Midwest in Limerick took great care of me and helped me to find my way to a better life, one where I learned to believe in myself, to learn what a good person I was and to learn skills to help me get through day to day life without the thought of suicide.
Hehir added “This year, I will rejoice in the life I now have and will relish the dawn when it breaks letting us all come from the Darkness into the light on Saturday May 11th and let that be a new dawn of fresh hope and love to all that need it the most”.
Since 2006, over 40,000 people received support from our intervention and bereavement counselling services. By the end of this school year, Pieta will have reached out to over 7,500 students with a bespoke schools’ programme called the Resilience Academy a free programme for second year students in secondary schools designed to increase young people’s resilience, hope for the future, ability to cope with difficult feelings and connection to their school.
Darkness Into Light is vital for fundraising, for raising awareness and for bringing people together in a spirit of solidarity and comfort in giving all hope.
To find your nearest venue and for registration, visit www.darknessintolight.ie
Pieta operates a free 24-hour suicide helpline on 1800 247 247
Tags:
