Thousands take part in Darkness Into Light events

RTÉ News​

10-05-2025

Close to 100,000 people have taken part in the annual Darkness Into Light fundraiser with people running, walking and wheeling from start lines at sports clubs, churches and schools around the country as well as internationally.
There are walks at 230 locations across Ireland this year as well as 180 global sunrise walks.
The annual event is a fundraiser for the charity that supports people affected by suicide or self-harm.
Participants walked 5km beginning at around 4.15am, as the sun rises, in the charities biggest fundraiser of the year.
Speaking at the biggest event at the Phoenix Park in Dublin which is now in its 17th year, Stephanie Manahan, CEO of Pieta House said: "The wonderful impact of Darkness Into Light is not only enabling a conversation around suicide and self-harm, but it's raising vital funds for our services.
"So today, from Bondi Beach all the way to Bantry and everywhere in between, we've seen people walking to support Pieta House and to talk about mental health services."
She said the majority of the charity's services come from this direct fundraising and the charity was able to answer 100,000 calls from people in distress or suffering bereavement as a result of funding from last year's walks.
#DarknessIntoLight #DIL2025 underway in Phoenix Park Dublin and across Ireland with first 5km runners now over the finish line @rtenews pic.twitter.com/rIhhCCh679
— Eleanor Burnhill (@ElMcM) May 10, 2025
The charity says 51,000 counselling hours were also provided.
Pieta House opened in Lucan, Co Dublin, in 2006. Since then, the charity says, it has helped more than 70,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.
It now operates in 20 locations across Ireland, employing more than 300 therapists and support staff.
As dawn breaks as it did in the Phoenix Park today at 5.33am, it symbolises hope for those in distress due to thoughts of suicide or self-harm or those bereaved by suicide.
"As we speak here today, we have staff on duty that are actually taking calls 24/7, engaging with people every hour of every day, all throughout the year," said Stephanie Manahan.
Among those walking in the Phoenix Park today were Anthony Redmond and his girlfriend Skye Kelly.
Mr Redmond said that he was walking to remember his uncle Gavin, a father of two who he says died when he was young. An image of his uncle was on his t-shirt as he walked.
"I think it's really important to spread awareness. Especially men and young men especially don't talk about it enough and don't think it's important enough to say it to their mates and their mates probably won't take it that seriously," he said.
Mr Redmond said that his uncle's death had left the family heartbroken and it was important that he be remembered.
"Especially a family man like that, like everyone loved Gavin, he was just such a good person."