Over 10,000 people across Clare are expected to take part in Darkness Into Light tonight, in aid of suicide awareness.
The 5 km walk and run will be held in five locations throughout Clare.
What began in the Phoenix Park in Dublin in 2009 with 400 participants, Darkness Into Light has now grown to a global phenomenon with 220,000 people taking part in nearly 150 locations throughout the world this year.
In Clare alone, over 10,000 people are expected to climb out of their beds for the walk, which starts at 4.15 am tomorrow morning, timed to finish with dawn.
Tom McEvoy of Pieta House in Ennis says they’re delighted with this support.
Ennis, Shannon, Doolin, Sixmilebridge and Killaloe-Ballina will all hold walks this year.
Bronagh Moriarty is one of the organisers behind the Killaloe-Ballina event.
She says the interest has grown so much since their first one in 2014 that it’s seen a number of other communities look to host their own.
The money raised from both registration fees and the participants’ fundraising efforts goes directly to Pieta House.
The charity offers free counselling to those suffering from mental health issues, as well as anyone bereaved by suicide.
Éimhín O’Connor, who’s helping organise the walk in Doolin, feels it’s an issue that has affected a huge amount of people in Clare and beyond.
Registrations for tomorrow morning’s event are still being taken on www.darknessintolight.ie
Anyone in need of support from Pieta House can contact them on their freephone helpline 1800 247 247.
