A NEW online initative will raise money for charities using a classified advertisement service. Giveandbuy.ie links buyers and sellers online with all the proceeds of any deals transacted going to one of 12 charities.

Sellers – businesses and individuals – advertise their product or service and choose the charity they wish to support. The buyer makes the purchase and the proceeds go to charity.

The project is the brainchild of Dublin-based entrepreneur Aidan Corless, who has been active in supporting the education of orphaned children in Kenya’s Kitui province.

Alongside the various products on offer, businesses can sell their time and experience. By volunteering two hours of accountancy or beautician services, the charity receives payment from the buyer for that expertise. The team behind the site hope unemployed people will offer their time, hopefully gaining experience in new areas.

RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan has lent her support to the charity as a brand ambassador.

“Put simply, GiveandBuy.ie coverts the stuff you no longer need and the service you can offer into cash income for a range of charities,” she said.