A STUDENT from Wirral is part of a team heading to South Africa to help teach some of the country's most disadvantaged children.

Nathan Haynes will be based just outside of Cape Town, in a place called Kulis River during the project, which starts on May 22.

While there he will teach and coach a variety of children in different schools and townships, all with different backgrounds and helping to improve both their living and learning environments.

He is going as part of a team organised by HQ Coaching, which has strong links with schools in South Africa.

The 19-year-old, from Pensby, told the Globe: "We will be visiting different places and townships whilst we are there.

"I will be coaching a variety of sports, but in the group there will be others teaching basic learning such as English, Maths, reading and writing."

"The majority of the children are very under-privileged and live in poverty struck environments, relying on the bare essentials to live, and often struggle for food and drink."

Nathan is a first year business student at Liverpool John Moores University alongside working at Thornton Hall Hotel as a part time Bar tender.

In preparation for the trip he has held a race night in order to raise money and is planning a sponsored bag packing event in a supermarket.

He is also taking part in a sponsored run, around the perimeter of the Wirral from Seacombe to Heswall.

Nathan has set a fundraising target of £1000, and is looking for local businesses or individuals.

He continued: "Whilst I am out there, I will be personally wearing t-shirts with names of the organisations, businesses and clubs who have sponsored, donated and supported towards the cause in order to raise awareness in association.

"The main target for me is to give those children who do have an extremely difficult and challenging day to day life; a vital piece of enjoyment and relief, almost acting as an escape for the troubles and hardships which they are used."

Nathan has set up a donations page for anyone interested in sponsoring him. It can be accessed via: www.gofundme.com/nathanSAexpedition