Get Up on Saturday for the Sunrise Appeal

It was to have been a walk into the sunrise by 250,000 gathered together at venues around the country. This year’s Darkness Into Light could not take place as planned but on Saturday morning a version of it will still carry on.

On May 9th, it was expected that over 250,000 people would come together on every continent to walk together, highlighting the fight against suicide and self-harm. Darkness Into Light, proudly supported by Electric Ireland is the main annual source of funding for Pieta. However, due to the ongoing global pandemic, COVID-19, Pieta together with Electric Ireland have had to revise how the public can support it.

People are being encouraged as part of the Darkness into Light ‘Sunrise Appeal’ get up at 5:30 am to watch the sunrise and donate to Pieta what they can.

The work the charity does has never been more important with research showing that one in five is suffering from depression and the COVID-19 taking a massive toll on physical and mental fitness.

Even prior to the pandemic the public need for Pieta’s services was on the increase, with calls to Pieta’s helpline up 49% year on year while text messages to Pieta had increased by 46%.

Funds

The funds raised from Darkness into Light help to keep Pieta centres open, offering free therapy, the 24/7 Helpline line, and education and bereavement counselling for people in need of support.

In 2018, over 8,000 clients were supported with face to face therapy by Pieta experts. Since 2006, over 40,000 people received support from intervention and bereavement counselling services.

That level of service is too important to simply roll over on Saturday, while for many young people who, out of work and out of college are finding their lives turned upside down, it will simply be a case of staying up to switch off the Playstation and watch the sun come up.

“I’m honoured to be an ambassador for the Darkness Into Light ‘Sunrise’ Appeal, said Kilkenny Hurling All-Star Tommy Walsh.

“I encourage everyone to get out of bed at 5:30 am and wear yellow to show support to those struggling with their mental health.”

Essential Services

“As the restrictions in Ireland continue, the role that Pieta plays in the lives of its service users is becoming increasingly more important as many people continue to feel alone and isolated in quarantine. It is vital that we support them so that they can keep their centres open and continue to provide their essential services.”

“As a result of Covid-19, our helpline has seen an increase in calls from people all over the country who are in crisis right now with many others presenting with high anxiety,” said Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta.

“Funding from the public has never been more vital to keep Pieta’s door open. This will help fund our services, ensuring we can continue to support those in their darkest hours and to keep delivering our one-to-one counselling.”

“While we are devastated that we won’t come together physically on May 9th, we will share a special moment of togetherness by getting up at 5:30 am and watching the sunrise. We would also appreciate if people can wear yellow or a previous year’s t-shirt that day to show support for those impacted by suicide.”

Supporting

Electric Ireland are supporting and driving the campaign as they have done to great effect over the past number of years.

Speaking at our Sport for Business Webinar last week, Sponsorship manager Maeve Galvin outlined the effort that was going into that backing and we would encourage as many readers as can to do that. Honestly, the early morning is the best time of the day and you can always go back to bed after.

“We have been committed to supporting Pieta through the Darkness Into Light event for the last seven years,” said Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director of Electric Ireland.

“We believe that when people rally together, we can achieve anything. Given the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, now more than ever, we are conscious of the importance of caring for people’s mental health and the urgent need to support Pieta’s vital work.”

“We are appealing to people all over Ireland to come together, while remaining apart, and support this urgent appeal to ensure that Pieta, who are on the frontline of suicide prevention, can continue saving lives.”

Just €20 can fund two life-saving calls to those who are in crisis. Join the conversation online using the hashtags #DIL2020 #DILSunriseAppeal and make a life-saving donation at www.darknessintolight.ie.

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