'Darkness into Light': Suicide awareness walk begins on P.E.I.

The PEI Gaelic Athletics Association is starting a suicide awareness tradition that first started eight years ago in Dublin.

The group has organized a "Darkness into Light" walk for Saturday in Charlottetown's Victoria Park.

People will gather at 5 a.m. at the Brighton Road end of the boardwalk, and walk five kilometres as the sun rises.

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A woman involved in the sport in Ireland started the tradition after her sister committed suicide, said Sheila Mackenzie, the group's public relations officer.

We're literally walking from the darkness which represents, you know, how people feel.- Sheila Mackenzie

"We're literally walking from the darkness which represents, you know, how people feel," Mackenzie said.

"They feel isolated, and alone, and in the dark, into the light of the day, sort of thing. Sort of symbolic of the fact that every day is a new day."

The walk costs $25, with all proceeds going to the P.E.I. chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

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