Darkness into Light Limerick 2021 will be socially distanced

Darkness into Light Limerick 2021 – Author Donal Ryan is one of this year’s ambassadors 

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Darkness into Light Limerick 2021 will be socially distanced

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Tara Byrne

Darkness into Light 2021 will take place on the morning of Saturday, May 8.

Limerick’s Darkness into Light 2021, proudly supported by Electric Ireland, will take place at sunrise on the morning of Saturday, May 8. Due to Covid 19 Restrictions, the public cannot gather together but the DIL team are encouraging you to proudly wear your yellow t-shirts and take part in the event at a time and location that suits you.

Limerick-based writer Donal Ryan will join Pieta House and Electric Ireland in launching Darkness Into Light 2021. This year, Donal along with other Darkness into Light ambassadors have taken pen to paper to express how they have found light in the dark as part of the Sunrise Notes initiative.

Donal was born outside Nenagh, Co. Tipperary in 1976. He now lives in Castletroy along with his wife, Anne-Marie and their children, and holds a law degree from the University of Limerick, where he is now a Lecturer in Creative Writing. The author of ‘The Spinning Heart’ claimed the Book of the Decade at the Dublin Book Festival for the 2011 classic and the book was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize. The novel won the 2013 Guardian First Book Award. Preceding his success to date, Donal Ryan won Limerick Person of the Year 2013.

Donal, in his Sunrise Note, wrote, “The noblest of all ambitions is to be kind, to ourselves and the people around us. We should allow ourselves peace, quietness, stillness. We should all let ourselves off the hook.”

Early Bird has been extended! If you sign up to Darkness Into Light before April 11th you will still be automatically entered into the draw to win a year's free electricity for you and a friend from Electric Ireland. T&C’s apply. #DIL2021 #BrighterTogether pic.twitter.com/c8YpqOrs8N

— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) April 4, 2021

The Limerick DIL team commented, “This year’s Darkness Into Light sunrise, proudly supported by Electric Ireland, is going to be something magical. While we can’t gather in the way we normally do, we know that with your support we can make this the biggest and brightest Darkness Into Light ever. We really hope you can join us.”

Already 37,569 people from all over Ireland and every corner of the world have signed up to join Pieta House on Saturday, May 8, or have pledged to fundraise for a challenge. This is only a fraction of their 200,000 people goal. So far, an incredible €1,057,809 has been raised.

Darkness into Light began in 2009 when 400 people set off on the inaugural Darkness Into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta House. From small beginnings, the movement has continued to grow, and around 200,000 people now take part in the event annually.

Founded in Dublin in 2006, Pieta was established to provide free, accessible one-to-one counselling to people suffering from suicidal ideation, engaging in self-harm or to those bereaved by suicide. With over 200 qualified therapists across 15 physical centres, they do everything we can to ensure that help is available to those in crisis.

In 2020, despite the impact of Covid 19, they are proud to have delivered over 52,000 hours of suicide intervention and bereavement counselling. They also answered over 70,000 crisis support calls and texts, and directly supported over 600 households impacted and bereaved by suicide.

Pieta House are passionate about their life-saving work and all services are provided free of charge. 

Each year the walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to show their support for those who have been impacted by suicide. The walk raises awareness in the global fight against suicide and self-harm. Limerick DIL team enthused, “Every person who takes part in Darkness Into Light is already making a difference to someone in their community who is suffering from feelings of hopelessness or despair.”

While we can’t all gather together for the walk this year, there are three ways in which you can still take part,

You could create your very own Darkness into Light Challenge to raise vital funds for suicide prevention. Whether you choose to organise a 10k hike, run a marathon, skydive or sea dive your fundraising will support lifesaving suicide prevention services. For anyone who chooses this option and pledges to raise at least €150, the sign-up fee will be free.

You could take part in the 2021 socially distanced Darkness into Light. Join Pieta and Electric Ireland for a special Darkness into Light sunrise and give the gift of hope to those impacted by suicide and self-harm. Join in any way you can- walk, swim, bike or simply share your sunrise moment. Early Bird Now Available.

You can also donate, giving the gift of hope today and supporting Pieta’s free, lifesaving suicide intervention and bereavement services. Your donation could enable them to answer one more call from someone in suicidal distress.

The Darkness into Light team urges supporters to be safe and to follow the government’s covid 19 guidelines while taking part in the event. All those walking or running for the event should ensure that their route is properly lit at the time they plan to take part and that there are no hazards.

Pieta House commented, “We have never needed hope as much as we do now. So many of our friends, family and neighbours are struggling or feeling alone. But on May 8, we can share one sunrise together and experience the same unique and powerful moment. Be part of something extraordinary and help us spread hope and vital awareness.”

The DIL team has been working around the clock and are thrilled to announce the early bird sign up for this year’s Darkness into Light has been extended and you will receive a free iconic DIL t-shirt if you sign up before Sunday, April 11. You will also be entered into the draw to win a year’s free electricity for you and a friend from Electric Ireland. T&Cs apply.

For more information, you can contact +353 (1) 541 4746 or email [email protected]. If you haven’t signed up for this year’s Darkness into Light, now is the time to do it!

For more information go HERE 

For more stories on Darkness into Light go HERE