Countdown is on for Darkness Into Light

FOUR WALKS SET TO TAKE PLACE IN COUNTY ON MAY 11

THE County Wexford launch of Darkness into Light 2019, which is the main fundraiser for Pieta House, a suicide and self-harm prevention charity, heard how vital the fundraiser is for thousands of people within the region, which is notoriously lacking in mental health services.

The launch took place in Clayton White’s hotel in Wexford town. The 5K walk/run takes place at 4.15 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, in four Wexford locations: New Ross, Enniscorthy, Courtown and Wexford.

The launch was attended by Cllr George Lawlor who represented the people of Wexford as well as Wexford municipal authorities.

He said that it was an event for the community, run by volunteers from the community, which is what makes it so relevant and special and why it has grown from 400 people in year one to an expected 250,000 people in this, its eleventh year.

Peter Hurley from Pieta House spoke of it as a movement as well as a fundraiser and talked about how last year he met a lady at the end of the walk who had lost two sons through suicide, but couldn’t believe how many people were out walking in the early hours of the morning to not only raise funds, but to show solidarity and understanding and it brought her so much comfort.

He said that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask the question ‘are you okay’? and thanked the volunteers who run Darkness into Light locally, as well as the gardai, local authorities and Marine Watch, Civil Defence, Order of Malta and other such services.

Pauline Lawlor, who is the Manager of Pieta House in Wexford, advised about the service and of the numbers attending and she also said that without the funds raised by the volunteers and the community, that they couldn’t offer the services they provide.

Following contributions from Ger Tobin, Chairperson of New Ross Darkness into Light and from Maria Nolan, Chairperson of Enniscorthy Darkness into Light, the Wexford Chairperson, Liam McCabe thanked everyone for coming, especially Olympic winner Lisa Redmond and looked forward to seeing everyone on May 11.

Registration is now open online only at www.darknessintolight.ie.

At the Darkness Into Light Launch were some of the Wexford volunteers, back row: Ray Gallagher, Theresa Kelly, Frank Flanagan, Martin Creane, Jackie Currid, Diarmuid Sinnott, Ben Doyle, David O’Grady and Jim Delaney. Seated: Pauline Lawlor, Pieta House; Liam McCabe, Kevin Ryan, Electric Ireland; Cllr George Lawlor, special guest Lisa Redmond and Peter Hurley, Pieta House.

Kevin Ryan, Electric Ireland; Pauline Lawlor, Pieta House; Maria Nolan, Enniscorthy Darkness Into Light chairperson; Cllr George Lawlor, Peter Hurley, Pieta House and Tom Boland, Enniscorthy