Darkness Into Light, the annual fundraising event organised by Pieta & supported by Electric Ireland, is taking place on Saturday May 6th, 2023 and will see more than 100,000 people across 200 locations come together for the most important sunrise of the year.
Each year the walk provides an opportunity for communities to come together and to bring hope to people who have been impacted by suicide. Launched today by presenters Jennifer Zamparelli and Greg O’Shea, and proudly supported by Electric Ireland, organisers are welcoming everyone to join the event and raise vital funds for Pieta’s lifesaving services.
Suicide continues to be a real problem in Ireland and was the leading cause of death in young men aged under 25 in the country in 2019*. Darkness Into Light helps raise essential funds and enables Pieta to continue providing free of charge suicide prevention, intervention and bereavement support to people of all ages across Ireland.
In 2022 alone, Pieta delivered over 50,000 hours of free, one-to-one therapy, and helped over 6,500 clients nationwide. The 24/7 crisis helpline received almost 100,000 calls and texts and supported close to 700 households bereaved by suicide. Almost 35% of clients presenting to Pieta in 2022 were aged between 18-35 years and a further 36% of clients in the same year were under 18.
The funds raised from this year’s Darkness Into Light will help communities around the country, with the funding going directly to Pieta’s services.
Speaking at the launch, Darkness Into Light ambassador, Jennifer Zamparelli said, “I am proud to support and take part in Darkness Into Light 2023. Each year, myself and a group of good friends take part and it is great to see so many thousands of people out together, starting in the darkness and walking towards the sunrise together. So many communities come together for such an important sunrise, with the sense of collective hope palpable at every step of the walk. I invite everyone to sign up and take part; trust me, it will be a truly memorable occasion for such an important cause.’’
Stephanie Manahan, CEO, Pieta commented, “Over 80% of Pieta’s annual funds are raised every year from public donations and by people taking part and supporting events like Darkness Into Light. By signing up and taking part, every single person helps to support us continue to provide the services like the 24/7 crisis helpline which receives up to 2,000 calls and texts each week. Everyone is invited to sign up at www.darknessintolight.ie to make a valuable contribution. Electric Ireland have worked in partnership with us for the last ten years to build Darkness into Light and we are delighted that they have agreed to continue their sponsorship for another three years up until 2025.’’
Pat Fenlon, Executive Director, Electric Ireland commented, “Electric Ireland has sponsored Darkness into Light since 2013. Each year we work with Pieta to create marketing and fundraising campaigns to promote awareness of this unique event and encourage as many people as possible to participate and donate much needed funds. I am delighted to announce that we have renewed our sponsorship for another three years up to and including 2025. Darkness into Light is very important to our staff, customers and the communities in which we operate.
Whether it’s taking part at an event in your community, with family, friends and colleagues or taking on a challenge by walking, running, jogging, or swimming and fundraising for Pieta, there are endless ways to take part in the most important sunrise of the year.
Sign up and take part at darknessintolight.ie