Thousands of people have been finding safe ways to take part in this year’s Darkness Into Light appeal.
The annual fundraiser for mental health charity Pieta House was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak; however, people still got up with the sunrise and donated to the charity.
Everyone who got involved this morning is being asked to share their experience with the hashtag #DIL2020.
Thank you to everyone who's joining in #DILSunriseAppeal.Head to https://t.co/w7ME1NTXbu to share your sunrise moment, share your message of remembrance &share hope. Lets stand together to ensure suicide, self-harm & stigma is replaced with hope, self-care & acceptance #DIL2020💛 pic.twitter.com/2ARA4aC1aG
— Pieta (@PietaHouse) May 9, 2020
At 5:31 this am, in memory of my nephew Shaun Timmons #DIL2020 pic.twitter.com/CFFLmZjzLZ
— Paul Timmons (@floriopabilo29) May 9, 2020
Just back from my walk. It was a beautiful experience to watch the sun rise. For Isabel. #DILSunriseAppeal #DIL2020 pic.twitter.com/yQ9LWjpg6x
— Róisín Russ (@RoisinRuss) May 9, 2020
Pieta House spokesperson Tom McEvoy urged people to visit the DarknessIntoLight website this morning.
“It is a lovely website; we have set up a lovely app on it as well where you can load up your photos of where you are at his time and share with others,” he said
“It is a whole site of hope […] and perhaps if people could make a donation on that.”
Always an emotional day, how blessed we are to see the sunrise. Thinking of all those we have lost, all those in despair and hurting right now 💔there is always hope #DarknessIntoLight pic.twitter.com/j2Jdxs0Ocp
— Caroline Brennan (@mrscazbrennan) May 9, 2020
Sunrise for Pieta House ❤️. #DIL2020 #DarknessIntoLight pic.twitter.com/9DVKztyjXw
— Siobhan O Sullivan (@SSulluvan) May 9, 2020
The loss of the event saw a €6.5m hole in the charity’s budget this year and the charity needs support to continue providing its vital services.
“We now currently have plenty of therapists who are serving a need where people are ringing us on our 1800 247 247 number and availing of crisis intervention,” said Mr McEvoy.
“So, our therapists are there for everybody who needs that help currently and we are appealing for people to support us and to keep our work alive when it is needed in a really significant way.”
Dreamy morning for Darkness Into Light 🌅🕯
It’s okay not to be okay, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help if you need it. Got to take care of the noggin especially in these difficult times 💛@pieta #DIL2020 #DarknessIntoLight pic.twitter.com/8jqMF915w4
— Ciara Grace (@MizzCi) May 9, 2020
Such a peaceful morning. Thinking of all those who we have lost to suicide and the people who are struggling right now. Where there is light there is hope#DIL2020 @PietaHouse 💛 #Cork pic.twitter.com/tvTogBrWAM
— Sadie Madden (@SadieAnneMadden) May 9, 2020
The charity has seen an increase in calls in recent weeks as a result of the virus and warne that its services are more important than ever.
Over 150 separate GoFundMe campaigns have been launched for the charity in recent weeks – with over €200,000 raised since the start of the month.
Meanwhile, RTÉ said viewers of last night’s Late Late Show raised over €1.5m for the charity.
Rush North Beach. Shoulder to shoulder with those grieving and suffering. #DarknessIntoLight pic.twitter.com/4kcgrWw88u
— Keith Greene (@Keith_Greene) May 9, 2020
Main image shows this morning’s sunrise in the Wicklow Mountains this morning. Image: Visit Wicklow/Twitter
