'It’s the community that leads the charge' - Waterford Darkness into Light 2025 launched
Joe Burke, Fundraising Executive, Pieta National, Olivia Callery, Pieta Campaign Executive, Fionn Whelan, Pieta Corporate Manager, Liz McGough, Munster Express, Georgina O'Donnell, Antoinette Burke, Jo Cregan, Mick Lacey and Sgt. Dave Butler, Garda Clodagh Horgan. All Photos: Noel Browne
Waterford’s Darkness into Light 2025 has been officially launched at a ceremony in the Mayoral Chambers.
The formal launch has been a tradition of the walk since its first steps.
Chairman of the Darkness into Light committee, Des Purcell thanked Mayor of Waterford Jason Murphy for continuing the custom.
“The tradition of launching our annual walk from the Mayoral Chambers goes back years when the walk first commenced in Waterford, and we greatly appreciate your support,” said Mr Purcell.
Darkness into Light 2025 will take place on May 10 at 4:15am from the Regional Sports Centre.
The walk will continue past the Hypermarket, over the bridge to the railway station, and back down the Quay, out past the Tower Hotel and straight out to the Regional Sports Centre.
Mayor Murphy said that the work the committee does to raise awareness and “lift the stigma” around mental health is “unbelievable”.
He said the walk is now “an event on everyone’s calendar.”
“You are the engine around Darkness into Light, and I want to commend you for the work you have done over the last 11 years,” said Mayor Murphy.
He continued, saying that it is only in the last 10 to 12 years that mental health is something that has been spoken about openly.
Before that, it was hidden away and called “nerves”. But, there is nobody unaffected by mental health regardless of who they are, their economic circumstance or place in society.
“Government only follow you. It’s the community that leads the charge. Political parties follow, and I want to congratulate you on that. You have done so much, and I thank you,” said Mayor Murphy.
Mr Purcell also paid tribute to the other members of the committee for their work in making the walk happen.
“This gives me an opportunity to thank my own Darkness Into Light Committee.
"There are only six people involved, but it all works like clockwork, and without that committee who have been together for years and years, there would not be a walk,” said Mr Purcell.
Mr Purcell said the walk for the past 11 years, the walk has gone by successfully and without incident.
At the launch, he thanked all those who made that so.
“We wish in particular to acknowledge the support of An Garda Siochana who have been with us on the walk from its inception.
“Mr Mayor, this gives me a very rare opportunity to thank a host of organisations who provide invaluable assistance and without whom, quite simply, the walk would not take place.
"They include the Civil Defence, Waterford City Rescue, Marine Search and Rescue, Red Cross, Colleen O’Brien and her crew of caterers who ensure that the cuppa after the walk is provided for huge numbers returning to the Regional Sports Centre."
Mr Purcell also thanked the management of the Regional Sports Centre and Waterford City and County Council for the use of the facilities.
In his address to those gathered, Pieta National Fundraising Executive, Joe Burke, said that people are able to reach out for support for free because of the work of “support of communities”.
He said it costs around €1,200 to see one person through the service.
The Waterford walk has raised, which started in 2013, just over €500,000, which Mr Bourke said was “phenomenal.”
“All of that takes so much hard work, and we just really want to say thank you,” said Mr Bourke.
