Preparations well underway for Northside’s Darkness into Light walk

PREPARATIONS are well underway for the 2024 Darkness Into Light Northside walk, and organisers are inviting people across the community to take part in the event on Saturday, May 11.

The walk is one of many taking place across the country on that date in aid of Pieta, but marks the first time the event will return to parts of the northside of the city since 2019.

Speaking to The Echo, Labour councillor for the North East ward, John Maher, explained that while a Darkness Into Light event had previously taken place in Ballyvolane, that such an event hadn’t taken place there since the covid pandemic.

Organisers, including members from the previous Darkness Into Light Ballyvolane committee, set about bringing the walk back to the locality and to the Mayfield, Blackpool, The Glen, Dillon’s Cross and Dublin Hill areas for 2024 and are now planning in earnest for the event.

Suicide prevention

The Darkness Into Light events are aimed at raising funds for and awareness of suicide prevention and Mr Maher said that he didn’t know anyone who wasn’t in some way affected by the issue.

He said over the years he had met with many people in the community who were vulnerable and impacted by mental health difficulties adding that by taking part in the walk, people could show their support for and solidarity with others.

Community groups including the Glen Hurling Club, Our Lady Crowned Church Mayfield, Leeds AFC, Mayfield GAA and Mayfield Healthy Club, and local schools have already come on board for the event, and Mr Maher said they are inviting people from across the community to take part.

“There is an open-door invitation to everyone to take part,” he said adding that while he would encourage people taking part to register to help raise funds for Pieta and suicide prevention, that those who may not be able to afford to register, are still welcome to take part.

He said for those who couldn’t complete the 5k walk, they are also welcome to come take part in a shorter walk.

“We all know why are going there, to raise awareness, to raise funds, to come together. It will be a very special occasion,” he said.

Registration

Fr Charlie Kiely from Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield said that they will assist anyone who would like help with registration for the event at masses over the weekend of May 4 and 5 and will also be accepting collections for Pieta.

“It will be an important community event and is about supporting each other and journeying with each other,” he said.

The event will begin at Glen Rover’s Hurling Club at 4am and will continue to Glen Heights, onto Mervue, to Ballyhooly Road, to Glen Avenue, down Assumption Hill into Blackpool and back to the Glen Rover’s Hurling Club.

Organisers are still seeking support from volunteers.

To get involved or for more details see Darkness Into Light Cork Northside on Facebook and Instagram.

To register see https://www.darknessintolight.ie/.