Thousands of people across eight locations in Kerry took part in Darkness Into Light, the annual fundraising event organised by Pieta and supported by Electric Ireland, on Saturday morning.

One of the biggest in the county was the Killarney edition held in memory of Nathan O’Carroll. Over 3,000 people took part in the Killareny walk making it one of the biggest in the country. 

His mother Marie organises the walk locally each year.

She thanked the many business and individuals who made this year’s walk possible.

They were: Electric Ireland; Killarney Racecourse; Killarney National Park; Sheahan Group,; Daly’s Supervalu; Emergency Services and Order of Malta; MC Brendan Fuller of Radio Kerry; Videographer Dan Devane; Photographers Marie Carroll O’Sullivan and Konrad Paprocki; Samantha Nagle for Instagram and all the volunteers and supporters.

Stephanie Manahan, Pieta CEO, said: “We are beyond grateful for the thousands of people who supported the event this year. To see so many people come out each and every year is truly inspiring and each and every person makes a valuable contribution in enabling Pieta to provide free, professional therapy for suicide prevention and bereavement in Ireland. On behalf of the entire team at Pieta, we want to thank every single participant, volunteer, and supporter. Thanks to you, we can continue to support those who need us most.’’

Meanwhile in London, Aghadoe native Tara Cronin was the lead organiser of Darkness into light, Cricklewood. TV celebrity Laura Whitmore also took part in the London walk.

The annual helps to raise almost €4m nationally to fund Pieta’s lifesaving suicide prevention services. This figure is expected to increase over the coming weeks as public fundraising and corporate donations for the initiative continue.