Bray People

Emma McMahon, Killian Horan, Hazel Kidney and Jenny Deegan at Darkness into Light on Bray seafront on Saturday morning.

- By MARY FOGARTY

THOUSANDS of walkers and joggers were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise on Saturday morning as they completed the 5km route for Bray’s Darkness into Light.

The word ‘ hope’ was formed on the bandstand in candleligh­t as everyone gathered in the darkest hours to raise funds and awareness for Pieta House. Some were there in memory of their own loved ones whom they had lost to suicide, and many others in solidarity.

Men, women and children were joined in many cases by their four-legged friends, some of whom proudly wore the yellow ‘Darkness into Light’ t-shirt.

Volunteers from across the community helped to marshal the event, hand out t-shirts, and support the participan­ts in their early-morning endeavour. They met on the seafront before the sea of yellow moved off at 4.15 a.m..

The route brought them up Putland Road in the dark of night, before the circuit became easier and the sun came up over the Irish sea. Then it was time for breakfast, and for many a return to their beds after their early start.

Pieta House provides free counsellin­g, therapy and support to individual­s, couples, families and children who have been bereaved by suicide. It operates a number of Suicide Bereavemen­t Counsellin­g Centres. and offers a Suicide Bereavemen­t Liaison Service. It’s suicide helpline is 1800 247 247.

The amount raised from this year’s eventhas yet to be announced, but last year’s Bray event raised a total of €103,000.

 ??  ?? Emma, Lorraine, Niamh, Mick and Sophie Blackbyrne.
Emma, Lorraine, Niamh, Mick and Sophie Blackbyrne.
 ??  ?? Marie Farrell, Nicola Wright, Emily Farrell, Casey Price, Cian Farrell, Rosie Mitchell, Marlene Mitchell and William Mitchell at sunrise.
Marie Farrell, Nicola Wright, Emily Farrell, Casey Price, Cian Farrell, Rosie Mitchell, Marlene Mitchell and William Mitchell at sunrise.
 ??  ?? Brendan Barton, Sophie Curran, Katie Walsh, Shauna Kearns, Orla Kearns and Stuart Meaney.
Brendan Barton, Sophie Curran, Katie Walsh, Shauna Kearns, Orla Kearns and Stuart Meaney.
 ??  ?? Finn, Grace, Brendan and Bronwen Allan.
Finn, Grace, Brendan and Bronwen Allan.
 ??  ?? The first three back: Conor Murphy, Brendan Donohoe and Luke Kenny.
The first three back: Conor Murphy, Brendan Donohoe and Luke Kenny.
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? (Back, from left): Lauren Kelly, Claudia De Luca, Tara Allen, Ben De Luca, Paul Kelly, Sally De Luca, (front) Jack Kelly, Edel Kelly and Nicole Kelly.
(Back, from left): Lauren Kelly, Claudia De Luca, Tara Allen, Ben De Luca, Paul Kelly, Sally De Luca, (front) Jack Kelly, Edel Kelly and Nicole Kelly.
 ??  ?? Matthew and Gill Doyle.
Matthew and Gill Doyle.
 ?? PHOTOS BY BARBARA FLYNN. ?? Lorcan Bullock, Pat Carey, Toni O’Driscoll and Adam Costello.
PHOTOS BY BARBARA FLYNN. Lorcan Bullock, Pat Carey, Toni O’Driscoll and Adam Costello.
 ??  ?? Claire Timmons, Triona Irving, Tresi O’Brien and Leeanne Bohan.
Claire Timmons, Triona Irving, Tresi O’Brien and Leeanne Bohan.
 ??  ?? Luke, Josh and Brendan O’Callaghan.
Luke, Josh and Brendan O’Callaghan.
 ??  ?? Michelle Mooney, Emer Forbes and Mike McCarthy.
Michelle Mooney, Emer Forbes and Mike McCarthy.
 ??  ?? Robyn and Linda Bradshaw with Yvonne and Cian Longmore.
Robyn and Linda Bradshaw with Yvonne and Cian Longmore.
 ??  ?? Barry Clarke guides in the first runners.
Barry Clarke guides in the first runners.
 ??  ?? Kieran and Tracy O’Brien handing out water.
Kieran and Tracy O’Brien handing out water.

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