For Cleaner Coasts

Community 6 min read

04 Jun 2026

Click here to watch the full story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTJg0DEpiaw&t=3s

HSSCU are delighted to be supporting a number of beach clean-ups across Cork over the last 2 years in partnership with Clean Coasts Ballynamona. Each year, the initiative involves almost 1,000 children from local schools from the surrounding areas, to complete multiple clean-ups and marine education sessions.
  
Environmental Impact and Community Involvement
This is a hugely positive initiative that brings together local communities, schools, and volunteers in hands on environmental work. The idea for the project was brought forward by a HSSCU member, and the credit union were only too happy to get involved and offer support. Making tangible improvements to these areas by removing marine litter and equipping young people with the knowledge to take with them beyond the day.
Last year’s initiative resulted in 862 kg of marine litter being collected, a major contribution to protecting our coastal environment. This year, HSSCU are aiming even higher, with a target of removing one tonne of marine litter.
 
Removing Barriers to Participation
Thanks to HSSCU’s support, Clean Coasts Ballynamona have been able to help cover the costs of transport and logistics, educational materials, and clean-up gear, removing financial barriers for schools and young people to take part.
 
Voices from the Project
Alan Duff, Business Development Manager shared,  “We’re delighted to lend our support to this impactful initiative. Not only does it make a real-world difference by removing harmful waste from our beaches, but it also educates young people about the environment, empowering future generations to care for it.
As a credit union, we’re proud to support the communities we serve across Cork and Ireland. This initiative is just one of several environmental and sustainability efforts we’ve been involved in.”
Proinsias Ó Tuama, Big Little Beach Clean Representative, had this to say, “It’s brilliant to have HSSCU come on board for this project and provide the financial backing to make it possible. As a credit union, they’ve a strong ethos of supporting their members and the wider community — and that really comes through in the work they do.
Not only are the beaches being cleared of marine litter, but the children also get an educational session to build their knowledge and awareness of the issue. It’s all about empowering them to be changemakers. Without HSSCU’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to run the initiative at this scale  or make the impact we’ve had. We’re already looking forward to the next clean-up.”

Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTJg0DEpiaw&t=3s
 
Looking Ahead: More Clean-Ups to Come
Supporting this project is part of HSSCU’s ongoing commitment to ESG and playing their part in improving the communities they serve.
For more information, photos and videos from the project, be sure to check out https://www.hsscu.ie/