From darkness into light in Mountmellick

LAOIS people who want to support the suicide and self-harm crisis centre Pieta Houses are urged to gather in Mountmellick on Saturday, May 12 for the annual Darkness into Light dawn fundraising walk.

The charity hopes that local people will sacrifice their Saturday morning for a 4am walk, run or jog from the darkness into the light as dawn breaks. The organisers say the event is symbolic of the work that Pieta House do they bring people from darkness back into the light.

The event gets under way at Mountmellick GAA Club, Acragar, Mountmellick and 13 other locations around the country

Darkness into Light aims to build awareness about suicide and where people can seek help, create social change by viewing suicide with compassion and kindness and offer solace to those who have lost someone to suicide, said Joan Freeman, CEO and Founder of Pieta House.

As Pieta Houses services are free of charge, fundraisers such as Darkness into Light are vital to ensure that we can continue to be available to those most in need of help. Our yearly running costs are now at €1.3 million.

Joan is calling on people from all over Laois and surrounding areas to bring two friends with them to walk, jog or run the 5km route to raise funds and increase awareness about suicide and self-harm intervention.

“It would be super if you could join us for the event in Mountmellick on Saturday morning it really is an amazing event and there will be lots of people to talk to including people who have lost a loved one to suicide and volunteers who’ve generously given their time over the last few months” say the charity.

Registration information and route details are available online at http://dil.pieta.ie/.