Emergency and community services in Kinsale hold a blue and amber light parade in support of Pieta.
More than 140,000 people at home and abroad signed up to participate in Darkness into Light in support of Pieta. The funds raised from the sunrise walk help Pieta provide free services to people affected by suicide and self-harm. COVID-19 restrictions meant organised gatherings had to be cancelled, but socially distanced events went ahead.
The community of Kinsale, in County Cork, held a special fundraising event in which 206 emergency vehicles paraded through the town just before dawn. The vehicles with flashing blue lights represented frontline staff, An Garda Síochána and Health Service Executive (HSE), while the amber lights highlighted vehicles from the farming community.
Representing the Kinsale Business Community, Cormac Fitzgerald wants to give thanks for,
The Trojan work being done by the frontline emergency personnel over the past 12 months through this pandemic.
The message James O'Mahony of Kinsale Youth Support Services wants to highlight is that things will be brighter,
There is help available and there's also hope.
Anne and Jeremy Keohane support Darkness Into Light every year as it is a great cause and,
Offers hope for a lot of people, it's a fantastic charity, it gives a lot of support for a lot of families.
Sinéad O'Neill loves seeing people in the community pulling together during the pandemic. Darran Coyle-Garde, the Pieta funding and advocacy coordinator for Cork, is overwhelmed by the turnout, particularly given the rain.
It's spectacular.
Even before the event got underway, the target of 5 million euro had been surpassed with donations passing the 6 million euro mark. The fundraiser will benefit three groups: Kinsale Youth Support Services, Pieta House and the Kinsale Lions Club.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 May 2021. The reporter is Paschal Sheehy.
