'The 3 Johnnies' turn trash into treasure with Re-Turn scheme fundraiser for CUH

Cork University Hospital porters John Collins, left, with John Keenan, centre, and John Lenihan pushing their latest haul of used bottles and cans from the hospital as they continue their fundraising effort for CUH Charity. Picture: Brian Lougheed.

Three hospital porters at Cork University Hospital have raised thousands of euro for the hospital while also looking after the environment.

John Collins, John Lenihan, and John Keenan - dubbed The 3 Johnnies - noticed the number of empty bottles and cans that are left around the hospital campus and an idea sparked.

Using the deposit return scheme, the men decided they would pick up the empties that they spotted after they finished work and then they would use the money to buy themselves a takeaway on their last night shift of the month.

"We hated seeing these containers go to waste once the scheme came in so we started going round the wards we’d usually cover and collecting them after our shifts," said John Collins, who has been working as a porter for 18 years.

It didn't take long to collect enough to pay for a Chinese and it was then that they realised this idea had the potential to make a real difference.

So, together they would go around the campus after their shifts and collect every can and bottle they could find. In just two weeks, they had enough to convert into €820.

"We took all the bottles and cans away with us, redeemed them for cash and gave whatever we raised straight to the hospital’s charity. It is phenomenal the reaction we got from the nursing, catering and other staff," said Mr Collins.

It was not long before they - with the blessing of management - convinced medical, staff, patients and visitors to join them in their quest. Drop-off points have been set up throughout the hospital.

John Keegan, who collects the empty containers from A&E and the outpatients department, said there has been massive buy-in from the staff.

“They’re always asking us how we’re getting on. Housekeeping staff will clean up after patients leave and keep the bottles for us,” he said.

“If this was run nationwide, all hospitals would benefit from it.” 

Part of John Lenihan's role at the hospital is to collect waste so he separates the recyclable containers to hand over to his colleagues to bag up.

“If I collect 200-300 bottles a night, that’s over 1,000 in a working week, and when you multiply that by 52, you’re talking nice money for the charity," said Mr Lenihan.

To date, they have raised €2,000 for the hospital's fundraising arm, CUH Charity, and guaranteed the re-use of approximately 12,000 bottles and cans.

And they are not stopping there. The three men have appealed to Cork businesses to hand over their own used containers to help raise more money.

Claire Concannon of CUH Charity praised the three men for their initiative and dedication.

“If every school, shop and company across Munster undertook a similar activity, we could raise a huge amount of money to continue the charity’s mission of saving and changing lives," she said.