- Join Pieta and Electric Ireland in the global movement of hope
10 April 2019
Today, Pieta & Electric Ireland unveiled the ‘Wall of Hope’ – a public work of art created to officially launch Darkness into Light 2019 – the major charity fundraiser that is expected to attract over 250,000 participants this May 11th 2019.
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT EXPECTED TO ATTRACT RECORD PARTICIPANTS (250,000)
In 2018, Darkness into Light was hosted in over 200 venues across 19 countries and 5 continents. This year, Pieta and Electric Ireland have increased capacity, with additional volunteers and over a quarter of a million people are expected to walk, from darkness into light, on May 11th at 4:15am. Registration for the walk is now open at www.darknessintolight.ie.
ABOUT THE WALL OF HOPE
Located on Dublin’s Camden Row, The Wall of Hope is a larger-than life mural, created by Subset, a group of artists responsible for some of Ireland’s most provocative street art. The work signifies the Hope that Darkness Into Light spreads across the globe every year. Using #DIL2019 and #ThePowerOfHope, Pieta are encouraging people to share their messages of Hope in the lead up to the walk on Saturday 11th May and beyond.
ABOUT DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
Darkness into Light is organised by Pieta and proudly supported by Electric Ireland since 2013. It is a global movement dedicated to ending suicide and supporting those who engage in self-harm. By walking from Darkness Into Light, participants play an important role in removing the stigma around suicide and self-harm as well as raising vital funds to fight suicide.
The unique event is symbolic of the journey from despair to hope. It begins, in darkness, at 4.15am and continues for 5 kilometers through to dawn. Funds raised from Darkness Into Light help keep Pieta’s counselling services free of charge and freely accessible to those in suicidal crisis, people who engage in self-harm, and to those bereaved by suicide; last year, participants raised a massive €6 million through the event.
Pieta has supported over 40,000 people with face to face therapy. Since opening its doors 13 years ago, Pieta has heard painful truths from thousands of people who have come to the organisation at the point of suicidal crisis or actively engaging in self-harm. In 2017, one person a day died by suicide in Ireland and worldwide close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds.
Speaking on this movement of hope, Elaine Austin, CEO, Pieta said:
“Darkness Into Light is vital for fundraising, for raising awareness and for bringing people together from rural communities to major cities across the globe in a spirit of solidarity, comfort and compassion in giving all hope. Social connection is the heart beat of Pieta, it’s about removing the feeling of isolation and to spark conversation about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in all our lives.
Elaine added that “the new online registration process is a lot quicker and more user-friendly than previous years and we would urge everyone who wants to get involved to regsister at www.darknessintolight.ie”.
Commenting on the long-term partnership between Electric Ireland and Pieta (which has seen the Darkness into Light event grow from 20 venues in 2013 to 180 last year) Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director, ESB said: “At Electric Ireland we have always believed in bringing light to dark places. For the past seven years we have proudly supported the Darkness Into Light event and over that time we have worked, with Pieta to grow Darkness into Light into the global event it is today. We believe that when we harness our people and our energy, we have the power to bring hope to those who need it most – Darkness into Light exemplifies this. But there is more to do. Electric Ireland’s people, across all departments, are so proud to be part of this important campaign and we look forward to walking in solidarity with all of the Darkness into Light participants this May.”
Darkness Into Light is vital for fundraising, for raising awareness and for bringing people together in a spirit of solidarity, comfort and hope. To find your nearest venue and for registration, visit www.darknessintolight.ie
#DIL2019 #darknessintolight2019
ENDS
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ABOUT DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
Darkness Into Light (DIL) is Pieta’s flagship annual fundraising and awareness event. It started with approximately 400 people walking the 5km course in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 2009. This year, we will have roughly 200 Darkness into Light venues across Ireland and worldwide. Last year we had over 200,000 people sharing the light and helping us to promote suicide prevention and to tackle the stigma that leads people to the doors of Pieta.
ABOUT PIETA
Pieta was established in Lucan, Co Dublin, in 2006 and now has 15 centres across Ireland. Pieta offers free counselling to those suffering from suicidal ideation and to people who are engaging in self-harm. Pieta operates a Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service providing free counselling, therapy and support to individuals, couples, families and children who have been bereaved by suicide. Staff are fully qualified and provide a professional one-to-one therapeutic service. Pieta Resilience Academy is an initiative to teach school going children positive mental health techniques and strategies. The Resilience Academy is a six-week, evidence-based programme that was designed ‘with schools, for schools’. The programme aims to provide students with skills and coping mechanisms that are needed to succeed in school, and throughout their adult lives.
Pieta also operates the free 24-hour suicide helpline 1800 247 247. For more information, visit www.pieta.ie
ABOUT ELECTRIC IRELAND
Electric Ireland was launched in 2011 as the retail arm of ESB Group, supplying electricity, gas and energy services to the business and residential markets in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Electric Ireland is recognised as Ireland’s leading energy provider, with a mission to create a brighter future for the customers and communities it serves.
Electric Ireland has supported Darkness into Light since 2013, working with Pieta to bring hope to customers, staff and communities across Ireland that have been affected by suicide.