by Alan Jacques
Picture: Keith Wiseman
DARKNESS into Light, a unique early morning event which raised more than €160,000 in Limerick last year for Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm crisis service, will be held in three Limerick locations this year.
Limerick’s Darkness into Light 2016 events, in association with Electric Ireland, will take place at 4.15am on Saturday May 7 as thousands of people walk or run 5km routes while dawn is breaking.
Last year’s event attracted 100,000 participants in over 80 locations across Ireland and abroad.
Speaking at the Limerick launch of the event, which is now in its eighth year, Pieta House founder Joan Freeman said that last year’s Darkness Into Light was an incredible success.
Three venues will host the walk in the county this year with Limerick City, Kilmallock and Newcastle West all joining the 100 plus venues hosting the event across Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Scotland, the Middle East and Asia.
“We’re so grateful to the people of Limerick for their continued support. Their courage, vision and generosity has helped to change the dialogue around suicide and self-harm and allows Pieta House to bring hope to over 5,000 people every year,” said Ms Freeman.
“Together we are leading the way with Darkness Into Light, now reaching communities from Kilmallock to Abu Dhabi and many more across the world.”
Pieta House is also celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
More than 20,000 people have been through the doors of Pieta House over the last decade, with over 5,000 of those seeking help in 2016. There are now nine centres across Ireland including Pieta House Midwest in Limerick.
Online registration and further details are now available now on www.darknessintolight.ie.
