The Carrick-on-Suir DARKNESS INTO LIGHT Story
This year’s walk is on Saturday, 10th May
The annual Darkness Into Light Walk takes place this year on Saturday, 10th May. The annual worldwide event is always a meaningful, dignified and solemn occasion with participants all completing the walk for various reasons. Some in memory of a loved one, some with the thoughts of dark days lingering in their memory and others just to show support for an organisation that assists so many people who need help.
Carrick-on-Suir darkness into light has a back story that is probably replicated all over the world but at the same time is unique to our little community. In late 2015 a group of volunteers, mostly made up of family members met with the aim of hosting a walk as part of the ever-growing darkness into light events. The group met in New Street in the community room and from there the event has gripped the town with ever increasing numbers taking part.
The family that was to the fore in creating the original walk are still at the helm. In 2009 tragedy visited the McGrath family, originally of Kennedy Terrace in Carrick Beg when Sharon sadly lost her battle with mental health problems and died through suicide. Sharon, like so many others before and since her death had sought out assistance and help but the services were brutally underfunded and unavailable, a situation that has only gotten worse in this part of the country since Sharon’s passing.
Sharon left behind a distraught close-knit family, all who were aware of Sharon’s vulnerability and have spoken out on several occasions regarding the complete lack of proper mental health facilities in the south east. Six years after Sharon’s untimely passing, one of her nieces decided it was time to help others who might be feeling like Sharon and assist families, much like their own to honour and remember those who lost their lives through suicide.
Karen McGrath gathered a group together of family and close friends to make a start on organising the first walk. Her organisational and delegation skills excelled and so began what would become the success the is Darkness Into Light Carrick-on-Suir. Over the following years the core committee has remained the same.
Karen, her first cousin Shauna Power, Sharons sisters Mary and Rose and Mary’s friend Jillian have run the event like a well-oiled machine. In the background, Mary’s husband and sons, along with Sharon’s twin Johnny and her youngest brother Lenny as well as Elaine McGrath and all of Sharon’s nieces and nephews are always there to put their shoulders to the wheel to get the donkey work done such as putting out posters, tea lights, navigation signs and lighting displays. Darkness Into Light in Carrick is a real family affair and one that ensures the memory of Sharon is a light that will never go out.
If anybody would like to help out with this year’s walk, you can get in touch with either Mary or Jillian on 0877534040 or 0877550962 by text or whatsapp. There is always plenty of work to be done and a few hours of your free time would mean so much to the group and to the charity itself.
The proceeds of the annual walks make up a staggering 85% of Pieta House’s total income so is a vital resource to the group.
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