Darkness into Light Walk on Saturday

Navan’s Darkness into Light event 2014 in aid of the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, Pieta House, takes place this Saturday morning, 10th May.

This unique, early morning fundraising event which begins in darkness at 4.15am as thousands of people walk or run a 5km route while dawn is breaking.
This is the second year that Navan will host Darkness into Light, which will set off from Navan Rugby Club.
Joan Freeman, CEO of Pieta House, said:  “I want to thank everyone in Meath who has supported Darkness into Light, particularly our fantastic committee, and I hope we’ll have an even bigger crowd than last year out on the morning of 10th May. We’re also delighted to have the support of Electric Ireland again this year who are helping us to expand Darkness into Light into every corner of Ireland.”
The recent launch of the event in Ryans Bar, Navan, was attended by more than 60 supporters, including Sean Boylan, who managed Meath to four All-Ireland titles; Andrew Thornton, Grand National-winning jockey, and former All-Ireland-winning captains Joe Cassells, Tommy Dowd, Mick Lyons and Peter Darby.
A number of public representatives were also in attendance and Nicola O’Leary represented Darkness into Light’s sponsor Electric Ireland.
Darkness into Light 2013 attracted 40,000 participants in 20 locations around Ireland. With this year’s event taking place in a total of 39 locations including international walks in London and Sydney, Pieta House is hoping for a near doubling of last year’s turnout.
This year, Pieta House is linking Darkness into Light with its 'Mind Our Men’ campaign which aims to reduce male suicide in Ireland. They are asking participants to bring a male friend or family member with them on the walk – it could be a friend, brother, father or work colleague.
Online registration and further details are available now at dil.pieta.ie
Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre founded in Lucan, Co Dublin, in 2006 by psychologist Joan Freeman. 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 12,000 people, with almost 4,000 of those seeking help in 2013. Pieta House’s vision is to have a centre within 100 kilometres of everyone in Ireland.