Some 200,000 people across Ireland and the world have taken part in Darkness Into Light, a fundraising walk starting at 4.15am in aid of Pieta House.
In Bundoran, Co Donegal, around a thousand people took part in the 5km walk. Bundoran is just one of some 150 venues across Ireland where people walked or ran in the event.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Before setting off, participants signed a banner of hope in the local community centre and organiser Taralouise McCaughey said that hope is the main focus of the event, which sees the community come together to support those bereaved by suicide.
For some, the walk is now an annual event. Mary Lenehan lost her 16-year-old son James, and says that every year she finds she falls into step along the way with someone who is on the same journey as her, and they comfort and support each other.
It is 10 years since the first Darkness Into Light walk saw 400 people gather in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. This year it is estimated that in the region of 200,000 people are taking part in 19 countries on 5 continents.
The organisers say it is now a global movement against suicide, with people coming together to remove the stigma around suicide and self-harm and spread the power of hope in Ireland and around the globe.
All the funds raised will support the counselling, therapy and bereavement services provided by Pieta House at its 15 centres in Ireland.
Since opening its doors 13 years ago, Pieta House says it has supported 40,000 people who were at the point of a suicidal crisis, and/or engaging in self-harm.
