Disappointment as Darkness Into Light walks postponed until autumn

The annual Darkness Into Light walks, due to take place across the county in May, have been postponed.

The fundraising event for suicide prevention charity Pieta, supported by Electric Ireland, has been put back until the autumn due to concerns about Covid-19.

Walks in the pre-dawn hours of May 9 had been due to take place in Arklow, Baltinglass, Bray, Tinahely and other venues in the Garden County, but the charity took the decision to postpone all of the planned events given the evolving situation in relation to Covid-19 and mass gatherings.

In a statement to this paper, a spokesperson for the committee of Darkness Into Light Arklow said they ‘regret to announce that this year’s event has been postponed. In light of all that is going on with the Covid-19 outbreak, we know this is the best thing to do. The safety and well being of the public who attend the event, committee members and volunteers is of the utmost importance to us and we hope everyone remains safe during this unprecedented challenge.

‘We look forward to regrouping and bringing the event back to Arklow in the Autumn.’

Over 250,000 people were expected to come together in almost 20 countries worldwide, however, the charity Pieta has said that the event, which has significance for many Irish people whose lives have been touched by suicide, will go ahead at a later date.

A spokesperson for the Tinahely Darkness Into Light committee said that they were ‘disappointed but the safety and wellbeing of people comes first.’

In a statement, Pieta CEO Elaine Austin said, ‘while the decision to postpone this year’s event was difficult, the safety of local committees, fundraisers and the thousands of people who gather together to participate in Darkness Into Light is our highest priority. The event will indeed take place, but at a more appropriate time when the threat of the coronavirus has passed. We are assessing an autumn date and will confirm this as soon as possible.

‘The postponement of Darkness Into Light event leaves Pieta with a very significant funding gap. Pieta provides free counselling to those who are engaging in self-harm or have suicidal thoughts and provides free bereavement services to those who have been touched by suicide. The charity relies on the generous support of those who walk each year at Darkness Into Light in order to provide this important national mental health service free of charge, and the event also supports 17 like-minded charities in Northern Ireland.

‘The need for public support for Pieta is greater than ever,’ Ms Austin added, ‘especially now when so many people are feeling stressed and anxious during this time of crisis. I am appealing to all those who had planned to walk with us on May 9 to donate at Pieta.ie so that our vital services can continue. It is important at this time that people do not feel alone. Furthermore, I am asking the wider public to think of those who need our support and to visit Pieta.ie to donate. We rely on the support of the public for 80 per of our funding and we need their help more than ever.’