Thousands attend Darkness Into Light walks across Waterford raising vital funds for Pieta
Joe Daly and his Discover Waterford hot air balloon were in the RSC once again and what a sight it was as the crowd did their warm-up ahead of Darkness into Light in Waterford city. Photo: Noel Browne
Approximately 2,500 walkers ascended onto Waterford city over the weekend for the annual Darkness Into Light walk, raising vital funds for Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity.
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It was a fantastic day for all walkers, who were welcomed by beautiful weather and a vibrant community spirit.
Chairman of the Darkness into Light committee, Des Purcell, said he was delighted with the turnout.
“It worked very well and we had a huge number of young people. Year on year we are attracting more and more.
“It passed off without incident and when all the walkers came back we had a great selection of fruit and the ever-popular cup of tea."
Des said that the work of the Darkness Into Light committee in Waterford made for a fantastic morning for all.
“I have a cracking good committee, there’s only seven of us and we’ve been together for years. They’re all local and without them there wouldn’t be a walk and I’m extremely grateful for their commitment.
“We all stayed back and tidied up after it because we very much appreciate being given the facilities of the Regional Sports Centre and so we collected rubbish and did anything else that needed to be done by 7am."
Pieta said via social media last month that Darkness Into Light sign-ups nationally were down by almost 40% this year. Despite this initial concern, approximately 100,000 people turned out across the country for the walks this year.
In Waterford, the event was bigger than ever this year. As well as in the city, events also took place in Tramore and Ballymacarbry.
“This was as good as what we’ve ever had and we were very pleased with it,” Des said of the city event.
