Thousands of people around the country are preparing to take to the streets in the early hours in aid of suicide prevention.

The annual ‘Darkness into Light’ fundraiser will get underway just after four o’clock in the morning.

Now in its eight year the event will see 120,000 participants cross the finish line as dawn breaks.

It’s organised in aid of suicide and self-harm prevention charity, Pieta House.

Founder Joan Freeman is encouraging all those taking part to enjoy the occasion.

“When you’re closing your front door heading out you’ll probably see other people doing the exact same thing, greet them and say well done and all that sort of thing.

“Come a little bit early, for a couple of reasons, obviously the parking, but the atmosphere in the different venues is absolutely electric.”

By the time @RTELateLateShow is over you'd want to hit the hay (even for an hour or two) before #DIL2016 #latelate pic.twitter.com/ZqIlP8mHKK

— Pieta House (@PietaHouse) May 6, 2016