Cork scouting group recognised for making a difference

A Cork scouting group has been recognised for the big difference they make in their small town.

Re-turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), has announced that Ballinora Scout group, based in county Cork, has been named as a finalist in the ‘Small Town, Big Difference’ contest.

The initiative invited community groups, clubs and schools to share inspiring stories of how they are making a big difference in their local area through the DRS.

Local community groups were asked to share their story to the Re-turn.ie/Heroes webpage, highlighting how they are making a difference through DRS, receiving over 340 entries from across Ireland.

From these entries, 10 finalists have been selected —and now, a panel of judges, including broadcaster Jennifer Zamparelli and social media stars Tadhg and Derry Fleming, will choose five winners.

Re-turn CEO Ciaran Foley said: 

“We were thrilled to receive hundreds of inspiring stories from across the country, showing how innovative and passionate local groups are when they rally behind a shared goal. Each entry brought to life the incredible impact that turning deposits into donations can have.”

Ballinora Scout group will now receive a donation of €2,000 from Re-turn to support its fundraising efforts. The club has grown in popularity and the donation will used towards equipment for national and international camping trips.

Over the last year, more than 3,400 local community groups have made a difference by raising funds through the DRS by asking people to donate their deposits from plastic bottles and cans to good causes.

“It is a powerful reminder of why it is important not to discard plastic bottles and cans — especially when there’s an orange bin nearby,” Mr Foley said.

“Instead, they can be transformed into real value for communities like Ballinora Scouts Group.

“We are delighted to support them with a €2,000 donation and wish them every success with future adventures and camps,” he added.