Martin McHugh GAA Personality, Karl Lacey Donegal Senior Footballer, Rory Gallagher Donegal Manager, and Joan Freeman Founder of Pieta House at the Darkness into Light Launch.
MORE than 80 people came to The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town last night as Pieta House launched Donegal’s Darkness Into Light events with Electric Ireland.
Taking place on Saturday, May 9th, Darkness Into Light is a unique, early morning experience which begins in darkness at 4.15am as thousands of people walk or run a 5km route while dawn is breaking.
Joan Freeman, founder of the suicide and self-harm crisis centre was joined by a number of supporters including: Rory Gallagher Donegal Manager, Martin McHugh GAA Personality and sons Senior Donegal Footballers Mark and Ryan Mc Hugh.
TV3 presenter Noel Cunningham MC’d the event. Representatives from Pieta House and volunteers from the Darkness Into Light committees from across Donegal were also there to offer their support.
Last year almost 8,000 people took part in Darkness Into Light in county Limerick. Darkness Into Light is now in its seventh year and last year’s event attracted 80,000 participants in 39 locations across Ireland, including in London and Sydney.
With the number of locations doubling this year, organisers are expecting over 100,000 people to take part. 80 venues will host the event on the island of Ireland and abroad including in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland and the USA.
“Darkness Into Light is a people’s event organised by local committees all over the country. Although the number of people walking has never been greater, neither has the need.
“With three venues set to host the event in Donegal this year, including Donegal Town and Maghery-Rosses for the first time, it’s an example of how Darkness Into Light is uniting people across the globe in solidarity with those who suffer” Joan Freeman said.
She added: “While suicide is a devastating tragedy, we must not forget that there is hope, there is help, and Pieta House will be there to provide both.”
While Darkness into Light raises much needed funds, it is also about awareness, solidarity and local communities.
This year, Pieta House is asking those taking part to connect with others at the event. Walkers/runners are encouraged to speak to the person beside them, tell a story or simply say hello, connect and acknowledge one another. Make your presence known. No one should walk alone.
Donegal’s Darkness into Light events are taking registrations now. Online registration and further details are available now at www.darknessintolight.ie. For more information on Darkness Into Light in Donegal contact Tom Mc Evoy on 087-2430700.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)