The Darkness into Light sunrise appeal had to be postponed over the weekend but we rose early to watch the sunrise and shared the moment with everyone else supporting <5km from home.

Pieta House is an Irish suicide and self-harm charity that I have long held close to my heart. They have been providing free therapy to those in need since 2006. Inspired by their immeasurable work, I designed a gold filled disk pendant retailing at €65 and donated 100% of proceeds to their charity. We sold out within a month! Two years later, I brought the same pendant back with the same aim and the same message. We sold out again raising a total of over €40,000.

This past November, I decided to make the - now 9kt - gold necklace part of our permanent collection with 15% of proceeds going to the charity. We hope to continue to support Pieta for many years to come. 

The solid gold disc pendant is engraved with the word ‘Hope,' this being the underlying message at the core of everything Pieta House does. Their vision is to strive for a world where suicide, self-ham and stigma are replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance.

Sadly, suicide and self-harm are issues which affect almost every Irish family. Pieta House empowers people through generating hope and through creating acceptance – my wish is that this pendant can in-turn inspire hope in others too; be it a symbol, a special reminder or simply a sign of support.

Pieta continue to campaign to improve their services, raise awareness and promote understanding. They now operate in fifteen centres and five outreach services across Ireland with over 270 therapists and administration staff members. The demand for their service is increasing.

Help support them and donate or purchase a Hope pendant today.

Margaret O'Rourke