Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy, will light Council offices and the Alley Theatre in yellow this Bank Holiday weekend in recognition of the Darkness into Light and Dying Matters week campaigns.
On Friday, May 5, the Alley Theatre will be lit yellow to mark the Darkness into Light campaign which aims to provide an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and bring hope to people who have been impacted by suicide.
In the early hours of Saturday morning over 200 people will take part in sunrise walks across the world to raise funds and awareness of suicide and self harm to give hope to those affected and highlight the help and support available to anyone in distress.
On the Bank Holiday Monday both Council offices and the Alley will be lit yellow for the Dying Matters movement which challenges the taboo of talking about dying and grief so that families can prepare for end of life care for their loved ones and access the support and care they need in their final days.
“I am delighted to raise awareness of these two important campaigns by lighting Council buildings in yellow over the weekend and highlight that help and support is out there,” said Mayor Duffy.
“The Darkness into Light movement has grown rapidly in recent years and it has been great to see hundreds of people walking, running, swimming and even rowing at sunrise to give hope to those impacted by suicide and self harm and send a clear message to anyone in distress that they are not alone.
“The Dying Matters Movement are doing crucial work to ensure that anyone who is dying has the support and care they need so they are in a good place physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually when they pass away.”
For further information or to sign up for a Darkness Into Light event locally visit the Pieta House Darkness Into Light website at: darknessintolight.ie
Further details on Dying Matters Week, which runs from Monday May 8th to Friday May 12th, is available at: www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters
