The 2021 Darkness Into Light (DIL) sunrise event will take place on Saturday, May 8.
People and organisations across Northern Ireland are getting ready to share One Sunrise Together, with organisers Pieta urging people to sign up and get involved in any way they can – walking, running, swimming, hiking, biking, or simply sharing their sunrise.
The areas and partners are as follows:
- Antrim & Newtonabbey – MPDA Focus
- Ballycastle – Solas Moyle
- Ballymena – Turning Point Northern Ireland
- Causeway – Causeway Community Rescue Service/ Samaritans
- Hannahstown – Suicide Awareness & Support Group
- Armagh City – PIPS Hope & Support
- Bessbrook Camlough – Pips Hope & Support
- Crossmaglen – Samaritans of Newry & Dundalk
- Dromore – Tara Centre
- Derry City – Foyle Search & Rescue
- Portaferry – Inspire Wellbeing
- Rostrevor – Mourne Matters
- Lisnaskea – Oak Health Living Centre
- Ballygawley – The Niamh Louise Foundation
- Cookstown – The Hub BT80
- Ormeau Park – PIPS
- Strabane – The Koram Centre
These activities, carried out within COVID-19 guidelines, will help shine a light on suicide and self-harm, raising vital funds for the suicide prevention and bereavement services provided by 17 partner charities in Northern Ireland as well as Pieta, the founding charity of DIL.
To date, more than 82,000 people have signed up at darknessintolight.com and there is still time for others to join.
Throughout April, Darkness Into Light ambassadors from a range of areas have helped drive people’s preparation, while also encouraging sign-ups at darknessintolight.com. A number of ambassadors have set their own DIL challenges, too, ranging from sunrise walks to challenging mountain hikes across the Mournes.
For 2021, Darkness Into Light also gained community support from popular outdoor nature site Trek NI, which has helped signpost the best walks and places to watch the sunrise from multiple locations in each county on a weekly basis through their site and social media, all the while acknowledging the need to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions.
Darkness Into Light, which has become a global movement of comfort, solidarity and hope for all those affected by suicide and self-harm, is proudly supported by Electric Ireland.
Clare McAllister, Northern Ireland Residential Manager, Electric Ireland said they are extremely grateful to those who have already signed up.
“Already we have raised important funds for charities right across Northern Ireland and we want to keep that momentum going in order to raise more to support the vital services they provide. With just one week to go, there is still time to sign up and get involved.
“We would encourage everyone who is taking part in DIL to be sure of their own safety, especially if they are doing an activity at dawn, and of course, whatever they are doing should be done in compliance with current COVID-19 guidelines set out by the Northern Ireland Executive,” she said.
Elaine Austin, Pieta CEO said Darkness Into Light is crucial in delivering the funds needed to support this level of service.
“We have a great partnership with Electric Ireland and the company have been unwavering in their support over the years. We are grateful too for our Darkness into Light committees who galvanise support for the event across the country year after year.
“It is important for all of us to hold on to hope and Darkness Into Light gives us the opportunity to come together under this one common purpose, to remember our loved ones and to help those struggling at this time, and I do hope you will all join us on May 8th.”
Electric Ireland has sponsored Darkness into Light since 2013. Over that time the event has grown globally to become a vast movement with the common goal of helping those in our communities affected by suicide to look forward with hope. To find out more information about signing up and fundraising visit www.darknessintolight.com.
