Share a sunrise together at Darkness into Light fundraiser

Share a sunrise together at Darkness into Light fundraiser

By Aimee Walsh

DARKNESS into Light will take place on May 8, raising vital funds for mental health charity Pieta House.

This year for Darkness into Light 2021, participants can walk, run, swim, hike or bike or share a sunrise together, as group walks are not possible due to current Covid-19 restrictions.

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Lord Mayor Hazel Chu from Firhouse at the Darkness Into Light launch. The annual fundraiser will take place on May 8

The annual event is Pieta House’s main fundraiser and shines a light on suicide and self-harm while raising much needed funds for Pieta’s services.

 Pieta House provides free counselling to those with suicidal ideation, those engaging in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide, and raising funds now is more important than ever in the current climate. In 2020, Pieta House received 70 thousand crisis calls and texts.

Ambassadors for this year include Firhouse native Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu and Ballyfermot Senator Eileen Flynn.

 Senator Eileen Flynn shared her ‘sunrise notes’ ahead of this year’s fundraiser: “There is always hope and you’re never alone although you feel very very lonely and you find it very hard to reach out. Trust me, you’re never alone in your feelings.

“Thanks to Pieta, there is always someone you can reach out to when you need someone to listen. And when somebody does listen, life always gets better. The night cannot last forever and after the darkness there is always the sunshine – a new day full of fresh starts and a new possibility. Hang in there. You came this far and you can go farther.”

Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta House, said that in 2020, Pieta received over 70,000 crisis calls and texts asking for help through the helpline, and they delivered 52,000 hours of therapy.

“We have all faced some incredible and daunting challenges over the last year. Pieta is here to support all of those in suicidal crisis and our free counselling has continued, uninterrupted throughout the Covid lockdowns. 

“Our clinical team provide services over the phone, via text and in-person in twenty centres nationwide and, since last year, we now provide free counselling over video.”

To get involved with Darkness into Light 2021, you can sign up at darknessintolight.ie.

If you would like to speak to someone, you can freephone 1800 247 247, which is open 24 hours, or text HELP to 51444.

You can also get in contact with your local Pieta Centre.

Pieta Dublin South 01-4624792

Pieta Ballyfermot  (01) 6235606

Pieta Lucan  (01) 6010000.

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