The launch of Darkness into Light in Ryan's Bar, Navan.

Darkness into light walks 2015 launched

Pieta House this week launched the Darkness Into Light events in Louth and Meath with Electric Ireland. Taking place on Saturday, May 9th, 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.

Cindy O’Connor, Chief Clinical Officer of the suicide and self-harm crisis centre was joined by a number of supporters including Helen McEntee TD, St Pat's and Ireland under 19 soccer player Jamie McGrath, All-Ireland Meath winning captain Tommy Dowd, Mayor of Navan Sinead Burke, a number of local town councillors, Shamrock Rovers player Jim Clancy, FAI Youth Development Officer Mark Scanlon, Kevin Ryan from Electric Ireland, representatives from Pieta House and volunteers from the Drogheda and Navan Darkness Into Light committees were also at the event.

Darkness Into Light is now in its seventh year and last year’s event attracted 80,000 participants in 39 locations across Ireland, including in London and Sydney. With the number of locations doubling this year, organisers are expecting over 100,000 people to take part. 80 venues will host the event on the island of Ireland and abroad including in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland and the USA.

While Darkness Into Light raises much needed funds, it is also about awareness, solidarity and local communities. This year, Pieta House is asking those taking part to connect with others at the event. Walkers/runners are encouraged to speak to the person beside them, tell a story or simply say hello, connect and acknowledge one another. Make your presence known. No one should walk alone.

Online registration and further details are available now at www.darknessintolight.ie

Pre-registration dates for across Meath include:

22nd April – 10am-5pm - Best O'Matz Crèche, Kells

23rd April – 7.30pm – 9.30pm - Floods Bar, Main Street Athboy

24th April – 10am - 6pm - Navan Town Centre, Kennedy Road, Navan

25th April – 10am – 6pm - Gillan’s Londis, Dublin Road, Trim

Pre-registration dates for Louth, in the Laurence Shopping Centre, Drogheda include:

18th April – 12 - 4pm

25th April – 12 - 4pm

2nd May – 12 - 4pm

7th May 12 - 4pm

8th May 12-4pm