Darkness into Light

On Saturday 7th of May, the Pieta Darkness into Light walk returned to Sir James Mitchell Park after a two year pandemic break. The morning was a comfortable and dry 12 degrees and the sunrise put on a beautiful display of vibrant purple and orange colours over a calm Swan River. Darkness into Light is the Irish suicide prevention charity’s flagship fundraising event each year, involving tens of thousands of supporters in Ireland and around the globe symbolically walking 5km from darkness into light. It started with approximately 400 people walking the 5km course in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 2009 and has grown to become an international event with 200,000 people participating in 2019. There was over 24 International locations with over forty international partner charities this year including the local charity partner, The Claddagh Association. A crowd of over 600 people gathered in Perth in darkness at sunrise and continued through to dawn to symbolise the journey from despair to hope. The emotion of the morning was clear to be seen as many a tear was shed as the participants crossed the start line.

Darkness into Light is vital for fundraising, for raising awareness and for bringing people together across the globe in the spirit of solidarity, comfort and compassion. Pieta provides free counselling to those who are engaging in self-harm or have suicidal thoughts and provide free bereavement services to those who have been touched by suicide. The funds raised from Darkness into Light will be felt not just by Pieta clients but also by the people supported by the charity partners working in the area of mental health globally. The need for public support is greater than ever especially now when so many people are feeling anxious after prolonged periods of isolation. The Claddagh Association is the 2022 charity partner for the three Australian locations, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The Claddagh Association has been offering support to the local community since 1997. They offer crisis care and support, promote wellbeing as well as financial assistance to people experiencing hardship. They have been supportive of the Perth committee in running successful walks each year including previously providing free Mental Health First Aid training to the committee. Thank you to all participants for their valued ongoing support, the generous sponsors, the amazing volunteers and the hardworking committee for hosting a truly wonderful symbolic event. More information at www.darknessintolight.com