LAST year Lisnaskea was one of the first venues in the North to host the pioneering Darkness Into Light walk, and now Fermanagh is lighting the way once again by hosting the first cross-border walk in the country. 

Darkness Into Light is an annual event that takes place across Ireland to raise funds for suicide prevention charity Pieta House. A subject that hits very close to home for many in the county, the event was a massive success in Fermanagh last year and looks to be even more popular this year.

With each 5km walk taking place simultaneously across Ireland at dawn on Saturday, May 7th at 4.15am, there will be two in Fermanagh this year in both Lisnaskea and in Belleek, the first one in Ireland that will cross the border from North to South. 

There was a large crowd at the Oak Healthy Living Centre in Lisnaskea for the launch of both events earlier this month, which was attended by Marie Peelo and Kieran Brady from Pieta House, as well as members of the local organisations and volunteers. A second launch event then took place in Belleek the following day. 

Patricia Flanagan from Oak Healthy Living said they were hoping to build on the success of last year’s event. 

“The launch went very well, it was well attended,” she said. “ There’s been a lot of interest already, we have people calling into the office all the time about it. 

“Last year we raised £10,000 and a total of 50 per cent stayed locally for mental health initiatives, such preventative initiatives and opportunities for counselling, and for the suicide support group.”

Ciara Hughes, one of the organisers of the Belleek event was just as well attended: “It went brilliant, and registration is going really well. The support we’ve been getting is fantastic. 

“You can’t go down the street and not know Darkness Into Light is happening, everyone is talking about it.”

Registration is open right up until the start of the walk at 4.15am on May 7, however a number of registration events will be held across the county in the remaining weeks, running from this Saturday, April 23, until Thursday, May 5. 

Belleek will also be hosting a volunteer information evening at the GAA Centre on Thursday, April 28 at 8pm. Anyone who can lend a hand on Friday, May 8 and the morning of Saturday May 7 is urged to attend. 

For more information on registration events and t-shirt collection at both Belleek or Lisnaskea visit the Oak Healthy Living Centre or their respective pages on Facebook. Alternatively call Ciara Hughes on 686 58647.