A LAW student from Meols plans to bring a team of young East African footballers over to England for a tournament but needs your help to achieve his goal.

John Culligan came up with the idea of bringing a team from the village of Mvumi, Central Tanzania, after working there for three months earlier this year.

He plans to bring a football team over in November for a five-game tournament in Northwest of England, but needs to raise £8,500.

The 19-year-old former Calday Grammar school student, who begins studies for a law degree at Birmingham University in September, said: "When I got back home I decided that I wanted to do something to show my thanks and gratitude to the people who gave me the chance to work there. Schools in Mvumi break up in November, so that would be the best time to bring the team over.

"The area has had its share of problems in recent months. For instance, a lot of the money in the village comes from subsistence farming and there has not been much rain this year, meaning that a lot of the crops have failed, which affects livelihoods."

John needs to raise £8,500 in order to bring the team of 12 and its coach over to England for the tournament, adding: "None of the team have even got passports, so these also need to be sorted out," he said.

In particular, John is looking for help from businesses and private donations and has written letters to companies. The money needs to be raised by August. If you can help, ring John on 07732 886 191.