Chef Derry’s getting up early on May 12 for Courtown walk
MORE THAN 2,000 people are expected to take part in this year’s Darkness into Light in Courtown, which is an increase of 1,200 since it first began four years ago.
Participants will gather at Flanagan’s Wharf on Saturday, May 12, at 4.15 a.m., where they will begin their 5km walk/run.
They will walk up the Main Street towards Gorey, turn left at Ocean Point Apartments, by Pirates Cove, turn left at Jimmy’s Bar Riverchapel and travel along Red Row, turn right and go towards Courtown Adventure Leisure Centre, down the Burrow Road just in time for the sun rise, and turn around and head back to Flanagan’s Wharf.
Irish celebrity chef Derry
Clarke, pictured, who is a brand ambassador for Pieta House, will make a special appearance again this year in Courtown.
Committee member Ger Shiel said Darkness into Light is an important event to mark on the calendar, being it the flagship fundraiser for Pieta House.
‘It is vitally important we raise awareness that it is OK not to be OK,’ said Ger. ‘People have been silenced for too long and we want to help them get talking and hopefully start a conversation that could potential save someone’s life.’ At the end of the route, participants will be in for a surprise. ‘I can’t exactly say what just yet,’ added Ger. Refreshments such a teas, coffees, cakes and hot food will be served after the event, all kindly sponsored by Dinky’s chip shop.
Ger said the first year they had 800 people take part in Courtown, and this year they hope to get at least 2,000. ‘Last year we had over 1,200 so I am hopeful we can beat this,’ she added.
Darkness into Light Courtown has received massive support from local businesses, including Gorey Men’s Shed who will construct a sign to welcome the walkers and runners back after their 5km.
For the first time this year, people will not be allowed to register on the night of the event. Registration takes place online only until Friday, May 11. Visit pieta.ie for all the details.
Darkness into Light is now in its 10th year, and started with just 400 people in Phoenix Park, Dublin. This year, more than 200,000 are expected to take part in the national event.
Pieta House charity offers free counselling to those suffering from suicidal ideation, those who have been bereaved by suicide and people who are engaging in self-harm.
(By Sara Gahan)
Carer’s Support Grant
I’m a full-time carer and getting Carer’s Allowance. Last year I got a Carer’s Support Grant – will I get it again this year?
The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made to fulltime carers. The payment for 2018 is €1,700. It is paid on the first Thursday of June each year.
If you are still getting a carer’s payment on the first Thursday in June, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) will pay the grant to you automatically, and you don’t need to apply.
People getting Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance are paid the grant automatically. Full-time carers who are not getting one of these payments need to apply to the DEASP (unless they got the grant last year, in which case the Department will contact them about this year’s payment).
To qualify, you must be ordinarily resident in the State and caring for someone on a full-time basis for at least six months (including the first Thursday in June) and living with the person being cared for (or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication, for example, telephone or alarm). The person you are caring for must not normally live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar establishment.
You won’t qualify if you are working, studying or training for more than 15 hours a week, getting Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit or signing on for credits.
To apply, fill in one application form (form CSG1) for each person being cared for (a grant may be paid for each person). Forms are available on welfare.ie. You can apply for the 2018 grant until 31 December 2019.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Service below.