Rain fails to extinguish light as charity initiative raises more than 6m euro

Heavy rain failed to dampen spirits as an annual charity initiative for suicide and self-harm prevention raised more than six million euro through dawn events across the island of Ireland and beyond.

More than 140,000 people signed up to participate in suicide awareness charity Pieta House’s Darkness into Light fundraiser.

With the pandemic preventing mass organised gatherings for a second year running, participants took part in their own socially distanced events as the sun rose on Saturday morning.

There was not much sign of sun across most of the island of Ireland, as the rain poured down on various runs, swims, walks, bike rides and hikes.

By 12pm on Saturday, the initiative had raised more than 6.6 million euro.

(Ross McCrea from Belfast taking part in Pieta House's Darkness into Light fundraiser)

That included 1.1 million euro raised through RTE’s Late Late Show.

The final total will be counted up next week.

The money raised will help Pieta and a variety of partner charities in their suicide prevention work and bereavement support services.

Darkness into Light, which is sponsored by Electric Ireland, also saw events take place across the world.