Marlay Park event set to shine a light

THE annual Darkness into Light event will take place in Marlay Park again on May 7 this year in aid of Pieta House.

Over 4,000 people took part in the event last year, raising over €64,000 for the organisation that helps people with suicidal thoughts and people who self-harm.

The event consists of a five kilometre walk in the early morning, with this year’s event beginning at 4.15am, and finishing when it’s light.

A local launch for the run up to this year’s Darkness into Light took place in Marlay Park recently. 

Speaking at the launch, Brian O’Doherty, chairperson of the organising committee, spoke of the work that Pieta House offers to the people who need it.

“Pieta House celebrates its tenth birthday this year and has helped in excess of 22,000 people in its nine centres around Ireland in that time,” he said.

“It does amazing work and the volunteer organisers of DIL Marlay Park are delighted to be part of that.”

Pieta House was established 10 years ago by Joan Freeman, a practising psychologist.

The organisation has grown in that time, establishing eight centres throughout the country, two of which are located on the Southside, in Tallaght and Ballyfermot.

Mr O’Doherty also spoke of the importance of informing as many people as possible in the community in order to gain support from local residents.

“It is really important to create awareness of the event on a local level, especially because of how supported it was last year and how special it is to people,” he said.

Leinster and Ireland international rugby player Jack McGrath is also showing support for the cause.

Darkness into Light is not just limited to Marlay Park though. There are events taking place across a number of locations throughout the world.

Last year there were 80 events staged across four continents and approximately 110,000 people took part. 

This year it looks like there are set to be close to 100 events taking place.

Bernie Commins, the public relations officer for Darkness into Light, also stressed that a mix of people take part in the walk over the course of the night.

“There is a lot of people of all ages taking part, from kids right up to older age people,” she said. 

The event has seen major growth since the inaugural walk took place in the Phoenix Park in Dublin in 2009, when approximately 400 people took part.

This year’s registration for the Marlay Park Event has been limited to online applications because there is a limit on the numbers  participating.

In previous years people were able to sign up on the morning of the fundraiser, but that will not be the case this year.

The registration process opened in early March and will stay open until the event has been fully filled.

Ms Commins urged people to sign up as soon as possible as the number of people who can take part in the Marlay Park event is limited to 4,000.

People can sign up for Darkness into Light at Marlay Park and in the other locations by going to the website: dil.pieta.ie where further details are available.

Graham McGrath