Runners and walkers before the start of the Darkness Into Light event in Belleek last year
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT will mark its tenth year this weekend in over 150 venues including Lisnaskea and Bundoran.
Darkness Into Light began back in 2009 when over 400 people came together in Dublin’s Phoenix Park to raise awareness about suicide and self-harm.
From these humble beginnings, it has blossomed into a global movement against suicide and self-harm, with over 200,000 expected to take part this Saturday, May 12th.
This unique event begins at 4.15am as participants walk 5km routes around the world and finish as the dawn is breaking, journeying together from Darkness Into Light.
Now in its fourth year in Lisnaskea, last year’s event attracted over 1,500 participants while the seaside town of Bundoran is preparing to host it for the first time.
Patricia Flanagan, health promotion coordinator with the Oak Healthy Living Centre, told the Herald: “The walk is an extraordinary success story and we’re so delighted to be part of it. It is a symbol of hope and we here in the Oak Healthy Living Centre believe that there is hope and that people going through a difficult time can get through it”.
Taralouise McCaughey is chairman of the Bundoran committee: “The people of Bundoran have been so supportive since we announced that we are doing the event for the first time and we are looking forward to a big turnout.
“We’ve already seen big numbers registering online since it opened last week and we would encourage anyone thinking about registering to do so soon in order to avail of the early bird rate.”
While raising much needed funds, Darkness Into Light is also about awareness, solidarity and local communities. This year those taking part are asked to connect with others at the event.
Walkers/runners are being encouraged to speak to the person beside them, to tell a story or simply say hello, connect and acknowledge one another.
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