Donegal’s communities may not have been able to unite for Darkness Into Light walks this year, but they embraced the 2020 Sunrise Appeal in their thousands.
People across the county rose before 5.30am to watch the sun rise from their home areas. Many Donegal residents are blessed to live in naturally beautiful places, which made the sunrise even more spectacular.
Leabgarrow beach, Arranmore. Photo: Denis O’Donnell
Darkness Into Light is a moment of hope and solidarity to those who may be in crisis or those that have lost loved ones to suicide.
The fundraising appeal for Pieta House invited people to join united in the fight against suicide and self harm. It comes at a crucial time for the charity while major concerns surround the scaling back of staff and services in the North West. A petition launched this week has gained almost 3,000 signatures from locals urging Pieta House not to close the Letterkenny support centre.
Hope and support continue to surround the charity locally and nationwide. This was proven last night after €1.5million was raised by the public and Electic Ireland after an appeal on The Late Late Show.
See the gallery below for a snapshot of how Darkness Into Light 2020 was marked in unusual times in Donegal:
Photo: Elizabeth Mc Daid
Sarah and Mary Furey and friends, Donegal Town
Sarah and Mary Furey, Donegal Town
Letterkenny, photo by Danny Devlin
Letterkenny, photo by Danny Devlin
The team @ RiverIsland Letterkenny.
Gáinne Mór in Downings – Photo by Donna McGinley
Gáinne Mór in Downings – Photo by Donna McGinley
Denis O’Donnell, DIL Chairperson at Leabgarrow beach, Arranmore
Leabgarrow beach, Arranmore
Ballybofey: Donna Dorrian
DIL Gweedore. Photo Brid Sweeney
Photo: Noelle Breslin
Errigal View Residents, Letterkenny. Photo: Ciara Mc Veigh-Lunn
Errigal View Residents, Letterkenny. Photo: Ciara Mc Veigh-Lunn
Darkness into light in Narin -Portnoo. Photo Amy Elliott
Darkness into light in Narin -Portnoo. Photo Amy Elliott
DIL Letterkenny – Caoimhe Crossan
DIL Letterkenny – Caoimhe Crossan
DIL Letterkenny – Caoimhe Crossan
Dungloe. Photo: Wild Atlantic Crepes
Annmarie mcDevitt And Ann carroll from Elmwood downs letterkenny out in support of pieta house this morning at 5.15am
Benny Sweeney – Letterkenny
Photo: Danielle Fay
Cloughglass,Burtonport; Siobhan McMonagle
Greencastle – Photo by Gemma Hegarty
Greencastle – Photo by Gemma Hegarty
Paul Hume and his daughters take part in DIL2020