News

Thousands walk from Darkness into Light in the south east

Thousands walk from Darkness into Light in the south east

120 thousand people across the country walked from Darkness into Light this morning.

The pre-dawn walk in aid of suicide prevention is in aid of suicide and self harm prevention charity, Pieta House.

The annual event is now in its eighth year.

Thousands of people across the south east met up at at 4.15am to  complete a 5km route in the rain in Carlow, Kilkenny city, Enniscorthy, Courtown, Cashel, Carrick on Suir, Dungarvan and Waterford city.

Advertisement

CROWD WITH WASHING MACHINE

Enda O'Doherty and the Beat Fleet joined the crowds in Waterford city

Founder Joan Freeman has thanked all those who joined in this year's walk:

"My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who's taken part.

Advertisement

Also to the people who volunteer, they were incredible.

I just hope everyone took something out of it, that they healed a little bit, that they felt connected and were proud to be Irish."

CARLOW

People from all over the region connected remembering loved ones or supporting friends and family who lost someone to suicide.

Many who haven't been affected by suicide came out in support and to raise funds for Pieta House recognising the need for the service and acknowledging the opening of the first Pieta House in the region, in Waterford in June.

Advertisement

"Dean Hayes from Wexford joined the walk in Waterford city:

"Well I lost my cousin to suicide 17 years ago this year so five of us have come together this year and done this for Kevin. It's very good to get up and get going."

Kelly Lovett from Wexford came to support her friend Dean:

"I came out to support Dean, he's doing it with his Mam and his Aunty so me and my Man came out to support them and help them through the walk.

We've never been affected by suicide in our family but at some stage, somewhere, someone will probably go through a bad stage so it's for a good cause and it supports everybody."

 

Advertisement