Thousand of people have been taking part in the Darkness into Light fundraisers across Carlow and Kilkenny this morning.
People set off in the early hours of the morning in Kilkenny City from Stephens Barracks along a 5km route winds through some of the city’s most iconic sites, including Kilkenny Castle, Canal Walk, City Hall, and across The Millennium Bridge, offering a unique perspective on the medieval city as dawn breaks.
Other walks took place in Carlow Town, and Inistioge to raise funds for Pieta, but, the Waterford city event isn’t happening today.
It’s the charity’s biggest fundraiser which helps its suicide and self-harm prevention services.
Over 170 walks took place nationwide and CEO of Pieta, Stephanie Manahan says tens of thousands of people have been taking part today,
“Oh, such an incredible morning we had today. So over 80,000 people got up and walked for Pieta, for Pieta’s services. But more than that, people got up to walk for each other and for its solidarity for those who’ve been impacted by suicide and self harm.”
Mayor of Carlow Paul Doogue was among those taking part and says there was a fantastic turnout in Carlow…
“It was an array of yellow up there up around the Gael Colaiste, and to wholw way down the town and over the Barrow track. Absolutely lovely, fair play.”
“The organisers, you have to thank them and all the volunteers.
You’d have to tip your hats to them because they were in every
corner. Huge thank you to all the volunteers, all the organisers because it just doesn’t happen.”
“I think that solidarity shown there this morning around and people, chatting and talking, and even though you mightn’t know them, I think everybody just feels that little bit, and everybody’s heart goes out to families that may have lost and have lost their loved ones.”
“The solidarity, and you could say, a full community
there together, which it’s all about today.”
