Lisnaskea has been chosen as one of the first locations in Northern Ireland to host suicide and self-harm charity Pieta House’s annual Darkness Into Light event.

On Saturday, May 9 walkers and runners are invited to complete a 5k route around Lisnaskea, beginning at 4.15am and finishing as dawn is breaking.

Lisnaskea was successful in its bid to host the unique event due to the work of The Oak Healthy Living Centre, which has concentrated on a community response to very high suicide rates in Lisnaskea town and also in the surrounding rural areas.

Initiatives have included: a suicide support group, house-to-house visits, design of an information pack, a drop-in facility for people with addiction and mild mental health issues, a soup run, a youth alcohol diversion project, stress management and mindfulness programmes, counselling referrals and volunteer befriending services.

Last Thursday, over 50 people came to the Oak Healthy Living Centre as Pieta House launched Fermanagh’s Darkness Into Light awareness and fundraising and event with Electric Ireland. Lisnaskea, along with Cookstown are the first locations to host Darkness Into Light in Northern Ireland.

Brian Higgins, CEO of the Pieta House was joined by a number of supporters including Vincent Litchfied from Electric Ireland, volunteers from the Darkness Into Light committee from Lisnaskea along with representatives from Pieta House.

Mr. Higgins said: “Darkness Into Light is now in its seventh year and last year’s event attracted 80,000 participants in 39 locations across Ireland and in London and Sydney. With the number of locations doubling this year, organisers are expecting over 100,000 people to take part. Eighty venues will host the event on the island of Ireland and abroad including in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland and the USA.

“We are really delighted Darkness Into Light is coming to Northern Ireland for the first time. I’m very grateful to the committee here in Lisnaskea and the Oak Healthy Living Centre for their support. The extraordinary growth of Darkness Into light, even in just the past year, is an example of how Darkness Into Light is uniting people across the globe in solidarity with those who suffer.

“While suicide is a devastating tragedy, we must not forget that there is hope, there is help, and Pieta House will be there to provide both,” he added.

Patricia Flanagan, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Oak Healthy Living Centre said she was “thrilled” that Darkness Into Light will take place in Lisnaskea.

“The walk is an extraordinary success story and we’re so delighted to be part of it this year. The walk is a symbol of hope and we here in the Oak Healthy Living Centre believe that there is hope and that people going through a difficult time can get through it,” she said.

While Darkness Into Light raises much needed funds, it is also about awareness, solidarity and local communities. This year, Pieta House is asking those taking part to connect with others at the event. Walkers and runners are encouraged to speak to the person beside them, tell a story or simply say hello, connect and acknowledge one another. Make your presence known. No one should walk alone.

Lisnaskea’s Darkness Into Light events are taking registrations now. Online registration and further details are available now at www.darknessintolight.ie. On Facebook - darknessintolightlisnaskea For more information on Darkness Into Light in Lisnaskea Contact The Oak Healthy Living Centre on 028 67723843.