PIETA’S largest annual fundraiser, Darkness Into Light, was scheduled to take place across five continents tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, and the group are asking people to instead, take part in a Sunrise Appeal.
Pieta and Electric Ireland urge the public to come together, while apart, and take part in the Sunrise Appeal – getting up at dawn to enjoy the sunrise, mark the moment and join the fight against suicide and self-harm by donating at darknessintolight.ie.
Pieta are also asking people to spread the message and offer hope by sharing their sunrise moment using the #DIL2020.
To get the nation all set for the sunrise start, Friday night’s The Late Late Show is supporting Darkness Into Light too, helping to ensure that Pieta generates the attention and funds it needs to carry out its life-saving work.
CEO of Pieta, Elaine Austin is complemented by a star-studded line-up of guests who will appear on tonight’s Late Late Show including; Pierce Brosnan, U2’s Adam Clayton, Mary McAleese (who will talk about her support for Darkness Into Light) and the star of Electric Ireland’s ad ‘We’re Brighter Together’, astronaut Chris Hadfield.
Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta said the group are reminding people to set their alarms for 5am on Saturday morning, “a lie-in for those of us that regularly do Darkness Into Light”.
She said, “This time instead of coming together in our communities physically we will come together around the world symbolically as we all get up and head into our front rooms, gardens or balconies to sit and have a moment while watching the sun rise.”
The Pieta CEO said for those affected by suicide and sel-harm the “isolation that some of us are currently experiencing will be a familiar feeling”.
“That’s the reason we come together on Darkness Into Light – because we don’t want anyone to be alone during times of darkness and isolation,” she said, continuing, “Your donation means our counsellors can continue to be there for people at their worst moments. Your participation shows solidarity and communion with those affected by suicide and self-harm. Let’s join together tomorrow and once more go together from darkness into light.”
Darkness Into Light is the main annual source of funding for Pieta and raised almost €6 million euro last year.
Darkness Into Light 2020 has been postponed because of COVID-19 resulting in a funding crisis for Pieta who now need support more than ever before.
Just €20 can fund two life-saving calls to those who are in crisis. Please donate now and stand in solidarity together with all those impacted by suicide at sunrise tomorrow.
www.darknessintolight.ie @ElectricIreland @PietaHouse #DIL2020
