Club boot swaps to save parents money
Louise Walsh
A Meath GAA club has started a boot swap initiative to go green and help cash-strapped parents defray costs to shoe their fast-growing children.
Parents in Navan can now join Simonstown Gael's boot camp to donate or take a pair of football boots instead of paying up to €70 for a pair of branded footwear, which a child may grow out of in months.
The club will only accept worn boots if washed and in good condition and are asking people for a donation of just €5, only if people have it.
The initiative could save parents, who have to fork out for two or more pairs of boots a year, hundreds of euro over the time that their child plays football.
The re-use scheme is also good for a climate where experts are raising concerns over fast fashion.
However, the club has noticed that the older children are a bit reluctant to try on the 'green' boots.'
"I have three boys so I know how fast they grow out of football boots without even scuffing them," said Melessa Kearney of the club.
"We've decided to open the boot camp once a month where parents can bring old boots and take-away a bigger size or just donate a pair or just take a pair. We even often get the same pairs back again after they've been used twice but are still in perfect condition.
"Some of the boots that we are getting are brand new that kids have literally grown out of before they got much wear. The younger kids will come in and try them on but the older children are a bit more self-conscious.
"So those parents bring home a few pairs and the children try them on at home. We get calls all the time form parents and even one coach asked us for some pairs to help out a family who were struggling with the costs to shoe all their kids.
"It's a great way to save money for everyone, re-use and help the environment and just meet people."
Parent Nicky McGuinness who helps Melessa with the boot swap knows all about the cost of boots.
"It's a great idea and it just makes sense. Why would you fork out for brand new boots which if branded can cost up to €70 and you may only get a few months out of them, especially the younger they are.
"Most parents will call in for the boots but we are also very discreet if there is someone out there in genuine need of help and don't want people to know."