Originating in Dublin in 2009, the
‘Darkness into Light’ 5km walk takes place across more than 200 locations, in 19 countries, across five continents. The walk has the noble goal of raising awareness for counselling and suicide prevention services. The Hong Kong event steps out at Sun Yat Sen Plaza at 4.30am, on Saturday, May 11. All are welcome to join, but participants must
register online before the event begins.
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Hong Kong has a suicide rate of 12.6 deaths per 100,000 people. This translates into about 850 deaths per year. We hear about the tragedy of youth suicide, but it is also heartbreaking to learn that a quarter of cases are in fact people over the age of 65 – this is where Darkness into Light comes in.
Darkness into Light is a key event for
Pieta House, an Irish organisation with a vision for a world where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance.
The concept of the walk has been exported to countries around the world by Irish expatriates. In Hong Kong, the event is coordinated by Niall Kelly, with support from the Irish Consulate. They have also teamed up with local charity
The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong, who assist those facing loneliness and depression by helping them regain confidence in life.
Last year, 777 people registered to attend the Hong Kong event and raised a whopping $422,849! Your support of this event will help our 2019 Hong Kong charity partners,
Mind Hong Kong, Samaritan Befrienders and
KELY Support Group, to deliver vital programs in their local area.
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What Can You Do?
- To take part in the event, click to register. Fees are $225 per adult, $180 per senior/student, $45 for anyone between the six to 17, and children under the age of 6 are welcome to come along for free. You can walk as an individual or as a team.
- Visit The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong to learn more about the work that they do and volunteer or donate directly to them.
- Visit and Like the ‘Darkness into Light’ Facebook page to help spread the news.
- Share this article with your friends and family!
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Read more! Check out what else is on around Hong Kong in our
Weekend Ahead.
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