Final call for Darkness Into Light Sunrise Appeal tomorrow morning
Electric Ireland and Pieta urge the nation to rise at dawn and come together, while apart, in the fight against suicide and self-harm
Tomorrow, Saturday May 9, is the day when Pieta’s largest annual fundraiser, Darkness Into Light, supported by Electric Ireland, was scheduled to take place across five continents.
It was expected that 250,000 people would have walked against suicide and self-harm.
Instead, Pieta and Electric Ireland urge the public to come together, while apart, and take part in the Sunrise Appeal – get up at dawn to enjoy the sunrise, mark the moment and join the fight against suicide and self-harm by donating at darknessintolight.ie.
Pieta are also asking people to spread the message and offer hope by sharing their sunrise moment using #DIL2020.
To get the nation set for the sunrise start, The Late Late Show is supporting Darkness Into Light, helping to ensure that Pieta generates the attention and funds it needs to carry out its life-saving work.
The CEO of Pieta, Elaine Austin, and a line-up of guests include; Pierce Brosnan, Adam Clayton, Mary McAleese (who will talk about her support for Darkness Into Light) and the star of Electric Ireland’s ad ‘We’re Brighter Together’, astronaut Chris Hadfield.
Ms Austin said: “We’re reminding everyone to set their alarms tomorrow for 5am, a lie-in for those of us that regularly do Darkness Into Light.
“This time, instead of coming together in our communities physically, we will come together around the world symbolically as we all get up and head into our front rooms, gardens or balconies to sit and have a moment while watching the sun rise.
“For those affected by suicide and self-harm, the isolation that some of us are currently experiencing will be a familiar feeling.
“That’s the reason we come together on Darkness Into Light – because we don’t want anyone to be alone during times of darkness and isolation.
“Your donation means our counsellors can continue to be there for people at their worst moments. Your participation shows solidarity and communion with those affected by suicide and self-harm.
“Let’s join together tomorrow and once more go together from darkness into light.”
Darkness Into Light is the main annual source of funding for Pieta and raised almost €6 million last year.
Darkness Into Light 2020 has been postponed because of Covid-19, resulting in a funding crisis for Pieta, who now need support more than ever before.
Just €20 can fund two life-saving calls to those who are in crisis.
Please donate now and at sunrise tomorrow stand in solidarity with all those affected by suicide.
www.darknessintolight.ie @ElectricIreland @PietaHouse #DIL2020
In Mullingar
Apart from the many people expected to respond to the call above and participate in the event in their own ways, the Mullingar committee will be at Loreto College, where this year’s event was to begin, from shortly after 5am to perform a flag-raising ceremony at 5.30am, but with numbers attending at a minimum.
The local committee chairman, Noel O’Callagan, will recite a poem written for DIL, ‘Your Life’.
Following the raising of the flag and the recitation, there will be a minute’s silence, and then Helen Hassett will sing unaccompanied.
The ceremony will be recorded on film.