From Errigal to Everest, a courageous group from Donegal has raised awareness for suicide at the highest peak in the world, far from the shores of Tir Chonaill.
A County Donegal group have taken the Darkness Into Light walk far away from the shores of west Ireland to the world’s highest mountain peak.
Led by Jason Black, the group undertook an expedition to Mount Everest in Nepal to raise awareness for and tackle the issue of suicide.
The group completed the journey safely and tackled the cause from the maximum height.
What is Darkness Into Light? – raising crucial funds for suicide awareness
Darkness into Light was established back in 2009. At this time, 400 people set off from Phoenix Park in Dublin to raise funds for Pieta.
Pieta provides essential service and support for people suffering from suicidal distress or self-harm.
Pieta now has two established locations across Ireland. Over 200,000 take part in the annual Darkness Into Light sunrise walk to assist Pieta in its mission and work.
Pieta has confirmed the mission has raised €29 million thus far. The latest instalment of the walk scheduled to take part on Saturday past, 7 May, 2022. Now, a courageous group from Donegal have taken the walk to new heights.
Taking Darkness Into Light to Everest – the world’s highest peak
The group joined Jason Black, who is a Global Endurance Athlete, a motivational speaker, and also an Irish RedCross Global Ambassador.
Black took to his Facebook page to praise the group. He wrote, “Today the Everest team walked to the highest place on the planet in support of Darkness Into Light.”
He continued, “There is not a family or friend or neighbour from our own communities across the globe that hasn’t been affected by the traumatic effects of suicide.
“The greatest gift we have as a human is to help another that’s struggling in life.”
Funding by the Donegal Centre for Independent Living – making this all possible
Donegal Centre for Independent Living (DCIL) helped one of the participants of the Everest Darkness Into Light Walk, Jennifer Doherty, in her journey.
Jennifer, from Buncrana in County Donegal, has been blind from birth and completed her dream of scaling Everest this weekend.
DCIL created an ‘Opportunity Fund’, and Jennifer was one of three awardees who benefited from this.
Members completed the walk safely – tackling the high altitude
Jason Black confirmed that all members of the trek completed the journey safely. The Donegal group reached 11,155 ft (3,400 m) above sea level after about eight hours of walking.
As a result of taking a “sensible approach to trekking”, the members reported “no headaches or suffering any ill effects from this altitude gain”.
All for a good cause, the Donegal group have gone above and beyond, bringing Darkness Into Light to Mount Everest.
