Fair play to everyone involved.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, tens of thousands of people across Ireland rose from their comfy, comfy beds to support Darkness Into Light 2016, a fantastic initiative by Irish suicide and self-harm crisis centre, Pieta House.
This year was the eighth year that Pieta House has been running its annual fundraiser and at over 100 venues across Ireland at 4.15am, tens of thousands of people walked and ran five kilometres to show their support for the cause.
Below is just a sample of the huge crowds that gathered nationwide.
https://twitter.com/nbrez/status/728866762729660416
Wonderful turnout for @PietaHouse in the Phoenix park. Well done to all who participated #darknessintolight pic.twitter.com/vfirpyMbsU
— Alan Quinlan (@AlanQuinlan1) May 7, 2016
That was a bit of craic! Massive support this morning for #darknessintolight for @PietaHouse Now back to bed 😂😴 pic.twitter.com/p6JNir6B0Y
— Kodaline (@Kodaline) May 7, 2016
From all of us at Electric Ireland and @PietaHouse. Thank you for creating such a special morning #DIL2016https://t.co/brar5FIDGM
— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) May 7, 2016
So uplifting to see so many thousands walking for @PietaHouse A very special morning @DILDublin #DIL2016 pic.twitter.com/ATNlBOArA4
— Emma Lahiffe (@emlahiffe) May 7, 2016
An electric atmosphere in the Phoenix Park. Shout out to all the volunteers making this event so magic. #DIL2016 pic.twitter.com/HXewmHFFT0
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) May 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/RunDmcCork/status/728806387040591872
https://twitter.com/declangalway/status/728818711533064192
Pat Lam, an amazing guy! Leading #DIL2016 in #Galway, on the day of big @connachtrugby game against @glasgowrugby! pic.twitter.com/GZ5cZkkZUf
— Ciaran Tierney (@ciarantierney) May 7, 2016
#darknessintolight #DIL2016 #limerick well done everyone on a beautiful countrywide gesture of support & solidarity pic.twitter.com/htHBjwgELQ
— ServeTheCityLimerick (@STCLimerick) May 7, 2016
The start of #DILCashel2016 @PietaHouse #Hope #ShareTheLight pic.twitter.com/UqulmUisLW
— Nicola Wall (@nicolawallps) May 7, 2016
Support for Darkness Into Light wasn’t just limited to Ireland either.
The event is being marked at a number of locations around the globe, including in Abu Dhabi, with JOE reader Caoimhe Ní Breacháin sending us on images of the first official Darkness Into Light in the Middle East.
A fantastic show of solidarity by everyone involved; we hope you all enjoy an extra few hours in bed this morning as a result.
Main image via Twitter/PietaHouse
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
