All About Cork: Students raise funds with bottle and can recycling drive

Students at a Ballincollig secondary school are putting a recently introduced environmental measure to good use, raising funds for a local charity.

Members of the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) class at Coláiste Choilm are supporting Balance Summer Camp, which facilitates fun and inclusive summer camps for people who have intellectual disabilities.

The LCA class has launched a bottle-and-can recycling drive, through the Deposit Re-Turn Community Fundraising Initiative, combining environmental responsibility with meaningful fundraising.

This year’s campaign builds on the success of last year’s efforts, when the LCA students raised €1,500 for Edel House Emergency Accommodation.

Edel House is a Cork City charity that supports women and children who are in need.

With Balance as this year’s chosen beneficiary charity, the Coláiste Choilm LCA students are determined to make an even greater impact this year.

Bláithín Gleeson, one of the LCA students involved, said that it was an honour to support such a great local concern.

“Balance is such a meaningful charity because it helps people in our community live more independent and fulfilling lives,” she said.

“We were lucky to have Carolyn Miller, the chairperson of Balance, visit us recently to share the amazing work they do and explain exactly where our funds will go.”

The bottle-and-can collection drive has already seen a fantastic response from students and staff alike, with bins filling up so quickly that additional containers have been requested.

The initiative not only raises funds, but also promotes sustainability by encouraging recycling within the school community.

The students’ dedication to their project demonstrates the power of young people to drive change by combining charity work with environmental consciousness.

“For us, it’s about giving back to the community while also helping keep our school litter free,” added Ms Gleeson.

A spokesperson for Coláiste Choilm said that everyone at the school hoped that this initiative would inspire others to implement similar schemes.

“With their efforts making a real difference for Balance, these students are proving that small actions can create big impacts,” they said.

Farran Christmas fair

This year’s Farran School Christmas Fair is on Sunday, December 8, from 10am to midday in Farran Hall.

Along with children’s stalls, a number of local vendors will be based in a marquee selling crafts.

Anyone who might be interested in taking a stand on the day is asked to contact Karen McHugh at farranparentsassociation@gmail.com.

On offer on the day will be festive treats for all, whether arts and crafts, face painting, hair braiding, carol singing, and a very special guest appearance from Santa is expected.

There will also be a giant raffle, but, presumably, not a raffle of an actual giant, because that would just be silly.

All proceeds will go to Farran Parents’ Association and will benefit the children in Farran School.

Tractor run in Darragh’s memory

A charity tractor-and-truck run, in memory of Darragh Ryan, will take place on Sunday, December 8, leaving Curraheen at 5pm and travelling to Ballincollig.

Darragh was 23 and in his final year of college when he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of liposarcoma cancer in May 2022.

His family want to help Breakthrough Cancer Research and the work that they do. “If we can help Breakthrough Cancer Research in any small way to further their work to, maybe, help find some solutions and answers for other families who were in the position we were in, it would be of great comfort to us,” they said.

Registration for the charity run will take place from 2.30pm on the Sunday and there will be a bucket collection in Ballincollig.

Santa may make an appearance. All monies raised will go to Breakthrough Cancer Research and Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

To donate, see https://tinyurl.com/k2mfy3uh.

Local Neighbourhood Watch to be held on December 3

The Ballincollig Neighbourhood Watch will hold its December meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 3, at the Carraig Centre, on the Old Fort Road in Ballincollig, Eircode P31PV20. An Garda Síochána are expected to be there, and the public are welcome.

Historical society

The next talk held by Inniscarra Historical Society will take place at 8pm on Tuesday, December 3, in Berrings National School, Eircode P12 FX45. The speaker will be Frank Donaldson, and the topic will be ‘Local Cork connections with the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912’.

Mini rugby on Saturdays

Mini rugby at Ballincollig RFC is played every Saturday morning in Tanner Park, and new members are welcome. Whether new to rugby or not, the club would love to have you join.

The session for U7s and U8s runs from 9.30am to 10.30am, and is for children born between 2017 and 2019, and who must be turned five. For U9s to U12s, it runs from 10am to 11am, and they must have been born between 2013 and 2016.

Boys and girls are welcome. Ballincollig FRC’s committee said all of their coaches are experienced. All are welcome to drop down on Saturday morning or to contact Patrick at minis@ballincolligrfc.ie.

Walk-and-talk group

The Ballincollig Family Resource Centre (FRC) walk-and-talk group leaves the FRC reception at 10am every Wednesday, weather permitting.

The walk caters to all levels of fitness. Call 021 4876295 or email info@ballincolligfrc.org.

Crochet club

The Ballincollig Crochet Club meets every Wednesday at 7pm in the Tesco Community Room. Sessions run until 8.30pm. The message on the club’s Facebook page is: “Everyone is welcome. No fee to pay. Meet like-minded people who are passionate about yarn, patterns, knitting and of course crochet. So grab your yarn and needles and join us.

“FYI: It’s not a teaching class.”

GAA lottery reaches €20k

The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, November 21, were 5, 7, 24, and 26. With the jackpot at €20,000, the draw is the highest it can be.

There was no winner last week, and consolation prizes went to three of the lottery’s supporters: Trish Walsh, who received €100, Liam Barry, who won €50, and Donal Horgan, who won €50. The next draw will take place this week, on Thursday evening, in Ballincollig GAA Club’s clubhouse.

For details on how to enter the club’s weekly draw, see Ballincollig GAA Club’s various social media pages.

Have Ballincollig news to share? Contact donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie