Success for Darkness Into Light
Events held across the region
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Nenagh DIL Committee following the successful walk at the Scouts Hall.Image 2 of 7
Some of the participants in the inaugural Darkness into Light Walk in Aglish.Image 3 of 7
Supporting the Darkness into Light walk in Newport last weekend.Image 4 of 7
Well done to everyone who supported the Darkness into Light walk in Portumna.Image 5 of 7
Darkness into Light group outside the abbey in Roscrea. Well done to all involved.Image 6 of 7
The scene at the Darkness into Light fundraising swim at Youghal Quay last Saturday morning.Image 7 of 7
Soulful, love-filled, communion of swimmers, friends, neighbours, dog walkers, supporters - all touched in one way or another by the sorrow of suicide, whether it be the loss of a loved one or a fear-filled moment where it crossed one’s own mind. All of us inspired by this light, by this sunrise, by this mirculous healing dawn moment together. Thank you to Mags, Sandra and all who made the Youghal Quay swim for Pieta happen.The streets of Nenagh were alive again last Saturday morning, May 6, in the yellow and orange of Darkness Into Light (DIL), as the community gathered to raise awareness of mental health issues and to raise funds for the vital services provided by Pieta House.
DIL is the primary fundraising source for Pieta House, which provides counselling services to those suffering from suicidal ideation, self-harm, or those bereaved by suicide.
Speaking on behalf of the Nenagh DIL Committee, the chairperson, Ryan O’Meara said: “We would like to sincerely thank the community for the support we received again this year from our community.
“Since its foundation in 2006, Pieta House have now seen over 70,000 people experiencing suicidal ideation, engaging in self-harm and bereaved by a death by suicide. The demand for their one-to-one professional counselling services continues to grow year on year and they are passionate about delivering their free lifesaving services to those in suicidal crisis.
“Our community is all too often impacted by suicide and self-harm. It’s heart-breaking and no part of our community escapes untouched.
“The fundraising arm of DIL is vital so that Pieta House can continue to provide the services they do. The annual walk is a chance for people who have lost loved ones to express their grief and walk into the dawn in memory of those who lost the battle with their mental health difficulties.
“The removal of the stigma surrounding mental health issues is an ongoing battle, but major strides have been made in recent years by bringing DIL into the heart of our communities, walking together, in support of one another, and openly discussing mental health.
“The Nenagh DIL Committee are incredibly grateful to our local community for their generosity and time; Tipperary County Council, and the Courts Services for the use of Nenagh Courthouse steps for music and the courthouse railings for our ‘Tags of Hope’, local businesses, gardaí, schools, our volunteers, the Scouts Hall, and voluntary groups and clubs.
“While the walk itself is the main fundraiser for Darkness Into Light, over the last few months we have organised various 'Yellow Days' in local schools, a ‘Spin and Sign Up Day’ in Nenagh, bucket collections, business donations and private donations from individuals. We are very grateful to all those who have volunteered their time over the last number of months.
“We will know the final fundraising total in the coming weeks as the remaining donations come in and we will share this information publicly then. We hope to do it all again next year for a great cause and for those in need,” Ryan O'Meara concluded.