A BUDDING Halesowen humanitarian is appealing for the community’s help in taking him on a volunteering trip to Tanzania.

Tom Leadbetter, a year nine student at Earls High School, has been offered the chance to volunteer at Umonga Secondary School in the East African country next year.

But for the youngster to take part in the visit next February he needs to raise £2,245, which he is hoping to achieve through a number of activities and events.

Tom will be washing cars on Saturdays at his home for £5, as well as hosting a large raffle and a summer disco, while he is also looking for company sponsorship to help raise the much needed funds.

His dad Keith said: “Tom currently plays football for the Halas Hawks North under-14 team and their manager has also kindly agreed to let him take the entire home kit to Africa to donate to the school children at Umonga.”

The trip is being organised by the Halesowen school, together with the African Adventures Foundation – a charity who are dedicated to improving lives in the UK and Africa through humanitarian and financial support.

Keith added: “Tom will be helping in a variety of ways, including interacting with the children in the classroom, preparing lessons with teachers, reading stories, preparing meals, playing sports and carrying out renovation work at the school.

“The renovation work helps to improve facilities, creating better learning spaces for the students attending the school both now and in the future.”

To donate to the ‘Take Tom to Tanzania’ appeal online visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/take-tom-to-tanzania, or for anyone who would like to support Tom with sponsorship, raffle donations or a car wash, call Keith on 07909 910308.