Athy committee members at the launch. The Athy event raised over €12,000 last year

The countdown is well and truly on in Athy – and indeed across Kildare – for this year’s Darkness Into Light.

Pieta’s annual fundraiser, supported by Electric Ireland, will return at 4.15am on Saturday 11 May.

The Athy endeavour always enjoys great support from the local community, with over €12,000 raised in 2023. Their ninth walk was officially launched yesterday (Monday 22 April) in Athy College – walkers will depart from and return to the school on the day.

The Athy Darkness Into Light committee is made up of Chairman Richard Daly (Principal of Athy College), Frank Dobbyn, Tom Kelly, Sean O’Mahony, Jimmy Byrne, Celine Daly, and Patricia Berry – and of course Honey, their very friendly canine mascot!

Richard Daly and Patricia Berry with Honey

Mr Daly revealed that this year’s entertainment line-up will feature the talented Village Voices Community Choir, alongside the well-known and much-loved local singer-songwriter Jack L. People are invited to gather at the school from around 3.15am onwards.

“We do try to collect some money in order to help Pieta House to continue with the service, and both as a committee and I know in my professional life we have availed of the services of Pieta House. It’s a non-referral system and it is immediately available to all people who are in trouble,” Mr Daly explained.

“The most important thing is not the money, the most important thing is the spirit of unity that the community can express, telling people, I suppose, that it’s okay not to be okay and that we’re all there for each other.”

Mr Daly described it as both a wonderful and a sad occasion. “It’s a sad occasion because every year we’re meeting people who have experienced loss and we have significantly experienced loss this year – one of our members – and it makes it a particularly sad occasion for us.”

Sinéad Nolan and Richard Daly with Honey

Sinéad Nolan, Pieta Campaigns Executive – Leinster, told those gathered at the launch that Darkness Into Light is their major fundraiser for the year.

To put into context the scale of services provided by Pieta and the ongoing need for donations, last year in Leinster alone, the charity provided almost 30,000 hours of therapy and saw over 4,000 clients across the province. The charity also supported almost 500 families and households bereaved by suicide across Leinster.

Pieta depends on the funds generated by Darkness Into Light, with over 85% of the charity’s annual income coming from public fundraising. Pieta’s 300 qualified therapists, Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers and support staff across the country rely on this essential income to continue their lifesaving work.

The €26 sign-up fee for Darkness Into Light can enable Pieta to answer two calls to their 24/7 helpline, providing immediate support and guidance to those in crisis.

For the list of official walks or to sign up, visit www.darknessintolight.ie.