Laois venues for Darkness Into Light suicide fundraising walks
Two Laois towns as well as the Midlands Prison are holding Darkness Into Light 5km walks for 2023.
Durrow will hold its first walk, starting at 4.15am on Saturday, May 6, setting off from Lions AFC grounds. The 5km route takes participants out the Abbeyleix road, turning down towards Dunmore Wood, coming out onto the Swan Road and back towards the starting point.
"We are delighted that we have some fabulous musicians along our route to entertain us also," the local organisers say.
"Join us for the most important sunrise of the year on 6 May 2023 starting at the Lions Soccer Pitch in Durrow. We walk to support those bereaved by suicide. We walk to support those affected by mental health illness. We walk to be part of the movement to help smash the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health illness," they say.
Midlands Prison Staff and Families will hold their walk also at 4.15am, starting from the prison carpark, on the Dublin road in Portlaoise.
Portarlington GAA club is hosting the walk in their town.
"Portarlington GAA are proud to be again partnering with Darkness into light by doing a 5km walk to raise awareness and funds for Pieta house. No registration required. All money raised goes towards Pieta house. Donations can be made on the day or by clicking on the link below https://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/PortarlingtonGAA1197 Join us for the most important sunrise of the year and help raise much needed funds for suicide prevention."
Gates open there at 3.45 and the walk will start and end at the club, on Station Road.
Mountmellick where the first and biggest walks were held in Laois, will not have one for the second year. Susan and John Nelson had organised the event every year.
"Unfortunately we had no committee. We thought in January we would be able to pull one together but it didn't work out. Hopefully we will be back next year and we wish the surrounding venues the best of luck," Susan told the Leinster Express.
There are over 200 official walks for Darkness Into Light in 2023 across 15 countries spanning 5 continents. Individuals and teams can also register on the website to do their own challenges and seek fundraising donations.
Entry is €26 for adults, €5 for a child and €62 for a family. People are urged to reuse a yellow Darkness Into Light t-shirt from a previous walk to ensure as much income as possible goes to the service, and to save the environment.
All the funds go towards the free counselling services offered by Pieta House at their centres. The nearest one to Laois is in Roscrea. They also offer a 24-hour freephone crisis helpline, managed by qualified and professional therapists on 1800 247 247. Or text Help to 51444 or call 0818 111 126.