PHOTO VIDEO – Darkness into Light Limerick 2019 raises vital funds

Darkness into Light Limerick 2019 – Sinead Flanagan, Limerick Rose, and Avril Flavan, Darkness into Light Committee cutting the ribbon at Thomond Park. Picture: Orla McLaughlin/ilovelimerick.

Darkness into Light Limerick 2019 raises vital funds for Pieta House

Limerick was out in force to take aim at mental illness as the Pieta House Darkness into Light Limerick 2019 walk drew thousands to Limerick city this weekend. It is reported that over 10,000 took part in the annual fundraiser for Pieta House.

Darkness into Light Limerick 2019, which will mark the tenth time that the walk has taken place in Limerick began at 4:15 am on Saturday, May 11, and took participants on a six-kilometre walk across Limerick city.

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Darkness into Light walks took place all over the country, as thousands began walking in the middle of the night and finish the walk as dawn is breaking. Over 100,000 people across 80 locations in Ireland and abroad took part in the annual walk last year, raising vital funds for the charity.

Opening in 2006, Pieta House is a suicide prevention organisation that aims to help those who are in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm. Since opening, Pieta House has helped over 30,000 people and opened 13 centres in Ireland.

Speaking on the importance of the event, Pieta House Founder Joan Freeman, told ilovelimerick, “Thanks to everyone who woke up and joined us at Darkness into Light Limerick in support of families and friends affected by suicide and self-harm. All of our services are free, but the demand for them is ever increasing. We all need to wake up to the stigmas that lead people to self-harm and into suicidal crisis, and to the doors of Pieta House.”

In addition to Darkness into Light Limerick 2019, smaller walks took place across the county in Kilmallock, Murroe, and Newcastle West.

The Darkness into Light walks in Limerick have raised tens of thousands of euros for the Pieta House’s crisis centre in Limerick.

For more on Darkness into Light Limerick, go here.

For more stories on Darkness into Light, go here.

Pictures: Orla McLaughlin/ilovelimerick