Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
THE parents of a Killarney teenager, who took his own life in 2007, at the age of 14, are lending their support to an important fundraiser to be held for Pieta House this Saturday.
In the 13 years since Nathan O’Carroll passed away, his mum and dad, Denis and Marie, have raised tens of thousands of euro for the charity through the annual Nathan’s Walk as part of the nationwide Darkness into Light initiative.
This year, however, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the postponement of both Nathan’s Walk and the national event and, instead, Pieta House is seeking donations for a Darkness into Light Sunrise appeal.
The charity, and sponsors Electric Ireland, have invited everyone to show a sense of community and solidarity in memory of those impacted by suicide through a dawn fundraising initiative.
People are being invited to rise from their beds at 5.30am on Saturday to watch the sunrise from their homes in a gesture that will bring people together while still maintaining social distancing requirements.
They are then asked to send photographs and messages of hope by wearing a Darkness into Light t-shirt, or anything yellow, and sharing their sunrise moment.
Participants are asked to use #DILSunriseAppeal #DIL2020 and donate what they can to www.darknessintolight.ie.
The appeal will help ensure that Pieta’s essential frontline services can remain in operation and continue to be delivered free of charge.
Recent research confirmed that one in 5five Irish people are experiencing clinically defined levels of depression. Even before Covid-19, the public need for Pieta’s services was on the increase, with calls to the designated helpline up 49 per cent year on year while text messages to Pieta had increased by 46 per cent.
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