The way the world operates is changing all the time – and you’ll struggle to find a better example of that than this Laois man’s business.
Gaastockshop is an Instagram based clothing business which is owned and operated by Laois teenager Oisin Byrne.
The Killeen native set up the business over the first lockdown back in March and it is booming.
With almost 3,000 followers, the 18-year-old’s business works by buying, selling and swapping second hand gear.
People message the page looking to sell gear and Oisin buys it from them before reselling it himself. It is a really clever idea and speaking to LaoisToday, Oisin explained how it came around.
He said: “I had a lot of old GAA gear that I had accumulated over the years that I had grown out of.
“Over lockdown, I cleared my wardrobe out and I had the idea that maybe somebody might be interested in buying some of it rather than just throwing it out.
“So I started the page and then other people started to message me looking to buy it and sell their stuff. I found that really enjoyable because you were getting to talk to people from all over the country.
“All of the money that I make goes back into the page. So if I bought a jersey for €20 and sold it for €40, I would use that money to buy something else.
“I use Revolut, Bank Transfer, Paypal or else anybody nearby can use cash and that is fine too. Then anyone who buys gear off me – I will send it out in the post as normal.
“I’m totally reliant now on people coming to me with their gear so that I can keep the page active.”
But not content with that, the Arles-Killeen footballer and Knockbeg College Leaving Cert student now wants to give something back.
Last night, he launched a fundraiser for two charities in the form of a raffle where there are six prizes up for grabs – four jerseys and two pairs of boots.
The charities that all of the funds that are raised will go to Child & Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the Irish Cancer Society.
CAMHS is a service that provides assessment and treatment for young people and their families who are experiencing mental health issues.
CAMHS is available to all young people up to the age of 18, who are experiencing mental health problems.
While the Irish Cancer Society are a community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers who, in many different ways, are doingtheir best to fight cancer.
They provide free cancer information and support, raise awareness about cancer, fund life saving research and keep cancer on the governments agenda.
Oisin confirmed that all funds raised will be split between these two charities.
Oisin said: “With Coronavirus, every day we hear about new cases and deaths but you don’t hear as much about the other issues associated with Covid-19 – in particular, mental health.
“The odd time you would sadly hear of a suicide but it is not getting the same coverage as the virus even though it is just as dangerous.
“So I chose Child & Adult Mental Health Services because they have a branch in Portlaoise.
“That covers all of the county and also juts into parts of Offaly and Kildare because it is a HSE service. So I know their reach would be widespread.
“Along with that, we hear regularly about cancer waiting lists and treatment that is not the same as it was prior to Covid.
“These people are suffering just as much as those with mental health problems so I wanted to try to do something to help those as well.
“The Irish Cancer Society help people from all over Ireland and also put money into research too.
“I wanted to try help a local and a national charity so that’s why I decided on them.”
The prizes up for the fundraiser are: Adidas predator blackout football boots; New balance football boots, a white UCD number 14 jersey; a white UCD number 9 jersey; a Needtotalkmentalhealth training jersey; and a blue Wexford training top.
Entries to the raffle can be made in some different ways. A €5 donation on the GoFundMe page will entitle you to one entry.
€10 for two entries, €15 for four entries, €20 for five entries, €40 for ten entries, €50 for fifteen entries, €75 for twenty five entries and €100 for forty entries.
In addition to this, extra entries can be gained on Instagram by spreading the word and awareness of the fundraiser.
One extra entry each is available for: Tagging 5 friends in the comments section of this post; sharing this post to your story and tagging @gaastock.shop.
The most important part of sharing the story is tagging the page or else Oisin won’t see it.
Check out his GoFundMe page below:
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