Annual Darkness Into Light event to take place in Athlone

The annual Darkness Into Light event will be held in Athlone on Saturday, May 7.

The event will take place as the sun rises in Athlone with the 5km walk or run starting and concluding at Athlone Town Stadium.

Participants will start running or walking at 4.15am and light refreshments will be served following the event.

As the world reopens, Darkness Into Light returns with events in over 17 countries across five continents, beginning in darkness at sunrise and continuing through to dawn to symbolise the journey from despair to hope.

Speaking ahead of the events in May, Athlone Darkness Into Light committee representative Carmel Carroll said: “Up to 200,000 people gathered around the globe in previous years to walk in solidarity with those experiencing dark times and this year we want to encourage people to get their groups together once again and sign up to make a real difference.”

The organisers are reminding participants that by signing up to the event, they are making a valuable contribution to helping raise funds for Pieta’s life-saving work in therapy and support services for those impacted by suicide.

Sinead Price, Fundraising and Marketing Director for Pieta House, said, “Every day, seven additional teenagers come to Pieta for one-to-one support. Darkness into Light is vital for fundraising, for raising awareness and for bringing people together across the globe in the spirit of solidarity, comfort and compassion. Social connection is the heartbeat of Pieta so we are delighted to have our organised events back this May.”

Electric Ireland has been a proud supporter of the event since 2013, and speaking on the partnership, Head of Brand, PR and Sponsorship Sarah Sharkey reflected on the importance of the event, saying: “We have worked with Pieta for the past ten years in helping to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of suicide. The power of Darkness into Light is in its ability to bring hope and consolation to communities across the country and to raise much needed funds for the vital service provided by Pieta. This is really important to so many people as is evident by the thousands who participate each year, and our entire organisation is behind the event again this year and delighted with the return of the organised events.”

In 2021 alone, the 24/7 Pieta Helpline received almost 100,000 calls and texts and close to 2,000 crisis calls and texts each week. In response, each month, the team at Pieta provides over 4,000 hours of suicide and self-harm crisis therapy.

Darkness Into Light is a global movement dedicated to raising funds for Pieta’s life-saving services.

To register for the event visit darknessintolight.ie