Waterford city's 'Darkness Into Light' walk for 2026 cancelled...

Waterford City's Darkness Into Light Walk will not take place this year. The decision was made at a meeting of the local organising committee last night (Thursday) Des Purcell, chairman of committee, outlined the reasons behind the decision on 'Déise Today' this morning. He said the recent decision by Pieta to move the Waterford service from the Waterside in the city to a new location was "upsetting" for the committee. "They can't justify taking money from the people of Waterford when the house is closing, that's the bottom line," he said. "They do not want to go and request money from the people of Waterford while, simultaneously, the house is closing." He explained that a letter would be issue to Pieta headquarters today informing them of the decision. The walk was due to take place in May and, also speaking on 'Déise Today', committee member Jim Griffin outlined that posters and placards had already been ordered. "It's a black or white issue," added Mr Purcell. "Either we have a walk and we have a house or we don't have a house so we don't have a walk." He outlined issues with the proposed co-location model put forward by Pieta which would see the charity establish a presence within every Integrated Healthcare Area across the country. Mr Purcell described having a physical house in Waterford as "sacrosanct" The decision by the Waterford city committee does not impact the other 'Darkness Into Light' walks that take place each year in Waterford, in areas such Dungarvan, Tramore, Dunhill, Portlaw and others. These will be a matter for their own individual committees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.