Thousands to walk Darkness into Light
The Lord Mayor of Cork has called on people to come and support next week’s Darkness into Light event raising awareness of suicide and mental health.
More than 200,000 people worldwide are expected to walk in the pre-dawn hours on 11 May, campaigning to remove the stigma around suicide and self-harm and raising vital funds for Pieta House.
Last year’s Darkness into Light saw €6 million raised last year for Pieta House services including suicide prevention, intervention, counselling and bereavement services.
€670,000 was raised across 21 venues in Cork last year by 26,000 walkers on Leeside, and this year 23 venues Leeside will be involved in Darkness into Light, including new events in Ballyvourney and Schull.
Lord Mayor Cllr Mick Finn is part of the organising committee for the UCC event, which attracted nearly 5,000 people last year and raised €142,231, the second largest in Ireland after Phoenix Park in Dublin.
“Darkness into Light has really captured the hearts of the Cork public, and his hugely well supported every year,” he said. “It means services provided by Pieta House can continue to be provided free, which is huge for those who are at difficult periods in their lives and are accessing the services.
“Cork has the busiest Pieta House in Ireland outside of Dublin, and the number of people doing the walk gives an indication of the reach suicide has in communities here, with people taking part who have been affected through family members and friends taking their lives. So it’s a very cathartic effect for many people doing the walk.”
Darran Coyle-Garde, Funding and Advocacy Executive for Pieta House Cork, said: “The whole idea behind the Darkness into Light symbolises a person’s journey through Pieta House, starting from that dark place and the sun coming up which symbolises the light at the end of the tunnel, which signifies hope for people.
“Since we arrived in Cork five years ago, we’ve grown to the point now where we can see up to 90 people per day. The ages can vary from young children to people in their eighties. We are a free service which runs on a self-referral basis. You can also have a friend make a call on your behalf, with your consent.”
To register for Darkness into Light go to darknessintolight.ie to find your nearest event. If you need to contact Pieta House Cork, call 021-4394333 or text ‘HELP’ to 51444.