St Mary’s girls raise ¤5k for Pieta House
IN early March a group of 5th Year students from St Mary’s in Mallow and teacher Connie Curtin, attended the Mallow launch of Darkness into Light in the Hibernian Hotel.
Feeling highly motivated and inspired by the event, the school decided to pay an active part in promoting the event and also the work of Pieta House in suicide awareness.
The Principal, Ms Yvonne Bane, and Vice Principal Úna Griffin were a great source of support and encouraged the fundraising endeavour which was overseen by two capable and admirable 5th Year students, Claudia O'Donoghue and Emily Fitzpatrick and their teacher Ms Connie Curtin.
Over 260 students and staff signed up to represent St Mary's in the Darkness Into Light 5k run/walk on May 10. On the morning of the event over 2,000 people gathered in the grounds of Mallow Business College at 4am.
There was an incredible atmosphere and something very heart-warming and uplifting about the whole experience.
It was a fantastic event for the town of Mallow and surrounding hinterland.
Congratulations to the organising committee of Mallow Darkness into Light for organising such a inspirational and beautiful morning. St Mary's raised €5,450, and sent a a sincere ‘ thank you’ to the students, parents and family members who supported the girls.
Last Monday, a unique and wonderful ceremony took place in the Aemilian Theatre, where Trisha O'Sullivan, Anne Roynane, Eamonn Horgan (Mallow Darkness into Light Committee) and Tom McIvoy from Pieta House were in attendance.
Both Tom McIvoy and Eamonn Horgan spoke very highly of the girls and complimented them on their enthusiasm and dedication to the event.
It was fantastic to see so many young people playing an active role in their community and raising awareness in their community on the important work of Pieta House. In the dimly lit theatre over 300 lighting candles were placed on the floor in front of the stage to form the word HOPE which made the affair more poignant.
Local councillor John Paul O'Shea, who also participated in the Darkness into Light event ,gave his support to the students and he along with two 5th year students, Emily Fitzpatrick and Claudia O'Donoghue, proudly presented the cheque of €5,450 on behalf of St Mary's to the members of Mallow Darkness into Light Committee.
It was a very special and proud moment for the St Mary's community and Leah Robins, Rachel Moore, Sadhbh Murphy, Hailey O'Shea, Aisling O'Mahony and Emily Fitzpatrick provided the music and song finishing the proceedings with the haunting Leonard Cohen classic ‘Hallelujah'.