Pieta House’s flagship event has taken on a life all its own.
Every year, Pieta House – the suicide and self harm prevention centre – stages Darkness Into Light, an event that has now become a global movement against suicide.
This year, over 150,000 people in 150 venues all over the world took part in the fundraising effort, with people starting off before dawn and walking into the light of day together.
Speaking to JOE about this year’s Darkness Into Light events, Brian Higgins, Pieta House CEO, said: “Darkness Into Light started in the Phoenix Park in 2009 when 400 people gathered for a ‘sponsored walk’ and now it has gone from being a fundraising event to a global movement against suicide.
“It’s a crucial tool in helping us to deliver our vision of a world where suicide, self-harm and stigma are replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance.
“Darkness Into Light brings in about a third of our annual income. The fundraising gives us a flexibility to respond to need. At Pieta House we have 240 of the finest psychotherapists who sit with people at their most vulnerable. What they hear are the stories and the truths of people and the reasons why they need our help.”
This year’s event proved bigger than ever…
A very emotional & inspiring morning #DIL2017 #DILLimerick pic.twitter.com/209cJyy6au
— Catherine (Ivers) Cinnamond (@cathcinn) May 6, 2017
Great to see many GAA clubs nationwide & worldwide take part in #DarknessIntoLight @PietaHouse like @BlarneyGAA below! Maith sibh! #DIL2017 https://t.co/XEoHipZM54
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 6, 2017
Wonderful experience with family this morn. #DIL2017 pic.twitter.com/JfqJQtE2Ga
— Maire Cassidy (@mairecassidy_7) May 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tribeton/status/860803329252839424
The very first of our venues across the pond are just kicking off – best of luck to @PietaHouseUSA & #DIL2017 in Queens and the Bronx! pic.twitter.com/ySJFQCrOU9
— Pieta (@PietaHouse) May 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/johnbradysf/status/860764524160442368
https://twitter.com/RunDmcCork/status/860747117257687040
What a morning at #DIL2017 in Phoenix Park… Well done all involved! pic.twitter.com/fzZXJhKeQV
— Shane (@ItsGillen) May 6, 2017
This has been the most incredible morning ❤
Tweet us your snaps from #DIL2017 #DILWakeUp pic.twitter.com/mBXLgp75Za— RTÉ 2FM (@RTE2fm) May 6, 2017
