Tech-savvy dad launches marketplace for daughter’s primary school

A tech-savvy dad launched a second-hand marketplace to help boost funds for his 10-year-old daughter’s school.

Alex Arica, 46, of Heversham Road, Bexleyheath, set up the online shopping site earlier this month for parents of Bursted Wood Primary School in Swanbridge Road, Bexleyheath, to sell second-hand items and rent-out products. 

But the site has a charitable twist, with each transaction offering the owners a chance to donate a portion of their revenues to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the school.

Within weeks more than 250 items were marked for donation.

Everyone with responsibility for a child at Bursted Wood Primary School is a member of the PTA. The group relies on funding and volunteers to host school enrichment activities and events for children.

Mr Arica said: “Before this the school would store items that had been donated to raise funds for the PTA in a shed and they were shown to parents during school events.

“This way reduces the admin costs for the school and the PTA. Parents can sell to people in the area and meet to deliver the items so there are no delivery costs.

“The option of renting also means families can access goods they might not have been able to afford before.”

Mr Arica said the market place is still a “small project” but hopes it can be expanded to include other PTAs and charities as donation options.

The marketplace is available here: https://www.etikbee.com/

Pictured top: Alex Arica set up the marketplace earlier this month (Picture: Alex Arica)