Nathan's Walk - Darkness Into Light on May 8th
From killarneytoday.com - full article here
Nathan’s Walk to proceed from a distance
Posted on April 27, 2021 by John O'Mahony
Pictured at Ross Castle for the official launch of Nathan’s Walk, Darkness into Light were Nathan’s parents, Denis and Marie, and his brother Ryan.
Picture: Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan
AN annual memorial walk held in tribute to a popular Killarney teenager, which has become an important fundraising event for a national charity, will take place on Saturday, May 8 and it will be run in accordance with social distance requirements.
Nathan’s Walk – the annual Darkness into Light event in memory of Nathan O’Carroll from Ross Road, Killarney – will generate donations for Pieta House and it will be held in accordance with Covid-19 restrictions.
Members of the public have been asked to join in to give the gift of hope to those impacted by suicide and self-harm.
Kacper Bogalecki (centre) St Brendan’s College, Killarney, with his peers who support Nathan’s Walk’ annually, presenting a cheque for €1,306.80 to Marie O’Carroll, Darkness into Light Killarney, following the school’s recent fundraising initiative Different Clubs, Same Struggle.
Picture: Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan
Nathan was just 14 years of age when he died on December 16, 2007 but his memory has been kept alive every year by several hundred people who turn out to support the fundraiser.
Every year, since 2011, hundreds of people set off in darkness through Killarney National Park but this year they have been urged to join in the event by creating their own Darkness into Light challenge – whether it is walking, swimming, skydiving, running or cycling – and simply share their sunrise moment in their own area and in their own pods.
This year’s walk is very important to make people aware of the services provided by Pieta House to help those in need.
St Brendan’s College students making a presentation to Marie O’Carroll, organiser of Nathan’s Walk, following a fundraiser at the school.
Picture: Marie Carroll O’Sullivan
“We would ask people who do the walk to please do so in their own bubble and practice social distancing,” said Nathan’s mum Marie.
She accepted a €1,306.80 donation for Pieta House from students at St Brendan’s College who organised a fundraiser in the school.
To register, visit www.darknessintolight.ie select Kerry and then select Nathan’s Walk and that will ensure the funds raised locally will stay locally.
Those that take snapshots of their events can share them on @nathanswalkdarknessintolight on Instagram or send them by WhatsApp to 087-9001135. People can also private message on Facebook to Nathan’s Walk Darkness into Light to be shared.