Some 110,000 people are expected to take part in Ireland's largest community fundraising event - Darkness Into Light - for Pieta House in May.

Pieta House works to prevent suicide and self-harm and this unique fundraiser will see thousands of people starting to run or walk at 4.15am on Saturday, May 7, before crossing the finishing line just as dawn is breaking.

Research released by Pieta House has shown that aside from raising much needed funds, this event also offers vital mental health benefits to those taking part.

The research was conducted by the University of Limerick and was based on a survey of 2,000 of last year's participants. It found a statistically significant increase in levels of wellbeing among those who took part last year, with the greatest increases found in those who had lost someone to suicide.

"We found that there was an increase in levels of wellbeing after taking part in the event, and that the effects were largest for those who had lost an immediate family member to suicide. We believe that a key part of this is the feeling of support and connection that participants experience while taking part in Darkness Into Light," explained one of the researchers, Michelle Kearns.

Commenting on the event, Pieta House's director of research, Dr Paul Surgenor, insisted that Darkness Into Light is ‘more than just a fundraiser'.

"It's an intervention for those who have lost somebody to suicide, and an act of support and solidarity for everyone else. This finding can be explained through processes of group identification with other participants and social connectedness," he said.

He added that these findings confirm the anecdotal evidence that Pieta House has heard from participants over the years.

For more information on Darkness Into Light, including details on registering for the event, click here