Speaking after she hosted a Darkness into Light Breakfast Fundraiser in aid of Pieta House, Fianna Fáil Women’s Network Campaigns and Policy Director Madeleine Thornton said, “I am delighted that the Fianna Fáil Women’s Network has been able to play our part in helping raise much needed funds for Pieta House.
“In keeping with the strict social distancing guidelines, we held our fundraiser virtually, on Saturday morning with the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Rachel Batten as our guest speaker.
“As with other charities Pieta House relies on donations from the public for 80% of its income. In 2018 the Darkness into Light walk raised €6 million alone. It’s very clear that the organisation is facing a major funding crisis as a result of the cancellation of this year’s walk.
“The huge numbers of people across all ages, demographics and ethnicities who turn out for the Darkness into Light walks each year are indicative of the fact that suicide and matters of mental health are always to the fore and that they do not discriminate.
“COVID-19 is our new reality for the foreseeable future. We rightly focus on the immediate infection curve and flattening it. But there is another curve that is rising and that is mental ill-health, and this will have lasting effects long after the virus has passed. We need to support charities such as Pieta House so that they can continue to carry out their fantastic and lifesaving work,” she concluded.
