600 join Brussels' early morning march for suicide prevention

About 600 people gathered in Cinquantenaire park at 4.00 on Saturday morning for Brussels' first Darkness Into Light march for suicide prevention.

The event, which began in Dublin in 2009, sees participants walk or run through the darkness of early morning into the light of dawn to raise money and awareness for the cause.

Last year 180,000 people took part in marches in 145 towns and cities around the world. Ireland's ambassador to Belgium, Helena Nolan, was among those taking part in the first Brussels march.

The money raised will be split between Irish charity Pieta House and two Belgian organistaions for suicide prevention: Centrum ter Preventie van Zelfdoding and Centre de Prévention du Suicide.

Photo: Antony Gevaert/Belga