The Recycling in Ottery (RIO) Grande Community Awards ceremony took place recently to acknowledge community groups that are making a difference to the local area.

The RIO project, a not for profit community group based in Ottery St Mary, Devon, has been running for eleven years, aiming to reduce the amount of recyclable materials sent to landfill sites. As well as repairing goods including furniture, electrical items and bikes for reuse, RIO is involved in environmental education and training in the community, which is run mainly by volunteers.

The RIO Grande grants scheme gives money to local community projects in need, that has been generated from the sales of donated reusable items. In 2006 and 2007, over 7 groups have received awards from RIO. This year saw Ottery Skaters and BMX Club, Dance Action for Youth and Ottery Scout Club honoured. AUCHID, a group helping autistic children, and Vision On, an organisation that works with the visually impaired, also picked up awards in recognition of their work in the community.

The ceremony, dubbed the Bunting and Budget day, saw winners formally presented with their grants. Groups were also invited to write messages on bunting, which is now suspended over the RIO head quarters.

Daniel Archer, one of RIO's Directors, commented: "The day was a great success for one and all and RIO very much looks forward to helping the community again next year."