Pieta House Limerick Darkness into Light 2016 Launch

Limerick Darkness into Light 2016 Launch – Ann Franklin, Darkness into Light, Katie Kiely, Limerick Land Search Team, Joan Freeman, Founder of Pieta House, Cllr Liam Galvin, Mayor of Limerick, Ed Flannery, St. John Ambulance, James O Brien, St. John Ambulance and Colin Urquhart, Corbett Suicide Prevention Patrol (back). Louraine Corbett Tomlinson, Corbett Suicide Prevention Patrol and Adrian Kiely, Limerick Land Search Team. (front). Picture: Johnny Baynes/ilovelimerick.

More than 100 people came to Strand Hotel on Wednesday evening for the Limerick Darkness into Light 2016 Launch in association with Electric Ireland. Founder of Pieta House Joan Freeman was joined by Kevin Ryan from Electric Ireland, members of local organisations and volunteers from across the county to launch the event which is now in its eighth year.

Taking place on Saturday, May 7^th, Darkness Into Light is a unique, early morning experience which begins in darkness at 4.15am as thousands of people walk or run a 5km route while dawn is breaking. Last year’s event attracted 100,000 participants in over 80 locations across Ireland and abroad. Over 4,000 people participated in the dawn walk last year and over €160,000 was raised for the charity in Limerick.

“Last year’s Darkness Into Light in Limerick was an incredible success and we are delighted to have three venues host the walk in the county again this year,” said the founder of Pieta House Joan Freeman. “We’re so grateful to the people of Limerick for your continued support. Your courage, vision and generosity has helped to change the dialogue around suicide and self-harm and allows Pieta House to bring hope to over 5,000 people every year. Together we are leading the way with Darkness Into Light, now reaching communities from Kilmallock to Abu Dhabi and many more across the world”.

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Limerick City, Kilmallock and Newcastlewest will join the 100 plus venues hosting the event across Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Scotland, the Middle East and Asia. Last years event raised €16,000 for the charity which has its centre in Mungret.

Pieta House is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. More than 20,000 people have been through the doors of Pieta House over the last decade, with over 5,000 of those seeking help in 2016. There are now nine centres across Ireland including Pieta House Midwest in Limerick.

About Pieta House

Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre founded in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2006. With nine centres throughout Ireland, Pieta House provides a professional one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral or a psychiatric report is not required and the service is completely free of charge. To date, Pieta House has supported more than 20,000 people, with over 5,000 of those seeking help in 2015.

About Electric Ireland

Electric Ireland is Ireland’s leading energy provider, offering great value electricity, gas and home services for consumers in Ireland. With more than 1.4 million customers throughout Ireland, Electric Ireland has a range of options to suit every lifestyle, residence and business. Electric Ireland is committed to bringing Smarter Living to customers’ everyday lives, through simple ideas that make life better.

Use the hashtag #DIL2016 on all your social media posts!
Online registration and further details will be available now on www.darknessintolight.ie
For further information, visit www.pieta.ie.
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