Darkness Into Light raises awareness of mental health

PEOPLE from around the county will take part in walks at various venues in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of Pieta House’s annual Darkness into Light fundraiser.

All of the walks will begin at 4.15am on Saturday, May 6, with the Tymon Park Darkness into Light starting at St Jude’s GAA Club.

In Rathfarnham, the Marlay Park Darkness into Light will begin at Marlay House.

Over in Clondalkin, attendees at the Corkagh Park Darkness into Light will set off from the Camac Valley Camping Car Park.

The Corkagh Park event will be led by local woman Stephanie Bowden, who is best known for featuring as a leader in the latest season of RTÉ’s ‘Operation Transformation’.

Stephanie told The Echo: “It’s very overwhelming, because it’s such an important event for hope and once you’ve got hope, it’s everything.

“The whole idea is to get across to people that people are there for them, and to acknowledge those that have lost their lives.

Under the guidance of local Zumba instructor, Lorraine Smith, and Operation Transformation’s Stephanie Bowden, students and teachers in Colaiste Bríd took part in a special TikTok challenge to raise funds for Darkness into Light Corkagh Park. The event will take place in the early hours of May 6 in aid of Pieta. Tickets are available from darknessintolight.ie

“The goal of the whole event is to bring awareness to mental health and remember loved ones who have gone, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it – especially in my local area.”

Darkness into Light was originally established as a fundraiser for Pieta House by Killinarden man Johnny Fox and his wife Gertie, after their son, Fergal, died by suicide in 2008 at age 24.

The first Darkness into Light took place in 2009, and has gone from strength to strength ever since, with its reach expanding beyond Ireland, with events being held as far afield as New York and Sydney.

Other people in the community have also taken it upon themselves to run extended fundraising feats to raise money for Pieta House this weekend.

Some staff from Holy Family Community School in Rathcoole will do just that and will be undertaking an overnight cycle from Galway Bay on Friday evening.

The 14-strong group will then arrive in Sandymount in time to take part in the Darkness into Light walk commencing at 4.15am on Saturday.

For Stephanie, getting to take part in the fundraiser in her local area is a point of pride, and she encouraged all – no matter their fitness levels – to take part and don their walking shoes on Saturday.

“Everyone should try it, because when you don’t feel like you can do something or that you shouldn’t be a part of something…when you do it, that’s when the magic happens,” she explained.

“Everyone feels that insecurity, but you’ll find that people will put their arms around you and encourage you. I’d encourage everyone to try it.”

For more information visit Darkness into Light or Pieta.ie , or call its Dublin South branch on 01 462 4792.

Pieta has a free 24/7 helpline – 1800 247 247.

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