Help save Tipp lives by walking from Darkness Into Light

Darkness Into Light walks in aid of Pieta House will take place in Nenagh, Roscrea, Ballina/Killaloe, and Thurles, Clonmel, Tipperary Town, Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir in the early hours of May 11th. Those involved will be among an estimated 250,000 participants in over 200 venues across 19 countries and five continents will walk from darkness into light.

Organised by Pieta and proudly supported by Electric Ireland since 2013, Darkness Into Light is a global movement dedicated to ending suicide and supporting those who engage in self-harm. Pieta and Electric Ireland are now calling on people from Tipperary to join; Tipperary walkers can register online at www.darknessintolight.ie.  By walking from darkness into light, everyone can play a part in removing the stigma around suicide and self-harm, and spread the power of hope throughout the world.

As Pieta’s flagship fundraising awareness event, Darkness Into Light has grown from humble beginnings into a global movement dedicated to raising awareness around suicide and self-harm. The unique event, which is symbolic of the journey from despair to hope, begins in darkness at 4.15am. Thousands of people will walk a five-kilometre route into the light of dawn. Funds raised from Darkness Into Light help keep Pieta’s counselling services free of charge and freely accessible to those in suicidal crisis, people who engage in self-harm, and to those bereaved by suicide.

Last year, walkers raised a massive €6 million from the event. Pieta has supported over 40,000 people with face to face therapy. Since opening its doors 13 years ago, Pieta has heard painful truths from thousands of people who have come to the organisation at the point of suicidal crisis or actively engaging in self-harm.

Worldwide, close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is an international phenomenon and occurs at any point during a person’s life.  

Speaking on this movement of hope, Marie Peelo, Deputy Director of Funding & Advocacy, said: “From rural communities to major cities, suicide is an epidemic that affects all communities.

“In 2017, one person a day died by suicide in Ireland – nobody is immune to suicide. We want to live in a world where suicide is replaced by hope, where self-care replaces self-harm and where stigma is replaced by acceptance. The only way we can tackle this crisis is together – in our communities, in our places of work, in the sports clubs we are part of. With the help of our community, we can help prevent suicide.”

To find your nearest venue, and for registration, visit  www.darknessintolight.ie #DIL2019 #darknessintolight2019