€66k from Darkness into Light
LAST year’s record-breaking Darkness into Light Walk in Drogheda raised almost €66,000 for Pieta House; an amount that will make a huge difference to promoting suicide prevention in Ireland.
Over 3,500 people made the journey to O’Raghaillagh’s in the early hours of Saturday May 12th, and last week, two of the organisers made the trip to Aviva Stadium to present the bumper cheque to the mental health charity.
“We are very happy with the amount raised, and given the advent of walks in Dundalk, Navan and Ardee this year too, it is especially incredible that the figure is still going up,” says Martha McCabe, who presented the cheque to Tom McEvoy from Pieta House, along with Michelle Dunne from Drogheda.
“This was the fifth year it was held in town, and it’s just gone from strength to strength since 2014, and we want to say a big thank you to everyone for supporting Darkness into Light Drogheda 2018. It was a fantastic amount for us to raise in one night.”
€1,000 is needed to help someone who may be feeling suicidal, from the minute they walk in the door for counselling, until they leave.
65 people, many who could be from the south Louth region, will now be helped with this money.
DIL 2019 planning is now underway, and Martha is hoping more people can be attracted to come on board the organising committee.
“As the event gets bigger each year, we need new hands on deck, with fresh energy and new ideas,” she adds.
“If anyone would like to join the committee, please send a private message to the facebook page. Well done to everyone that participated in any way.”