SPORT is something we take for granted in England. It's embedded in our culture and our children get more opportunities than most to take up some form of physical education. In fact, the Government is keen to ensure children are getting at least an hour of sport a day where possible.

But venture into the developing world and youngsters there are lucky to own a pair of trainers, let alone have access to swimming pools, athletics tracks or even footballs.

Now a group of students from the University of Worcester is about to embark on a special trip to Africa to help children learn about the benefits of sport.

Seven young men from the university will fly to Gambia this summer, where they will spend three weeks teaching football and basketball to more than 1,500 pupils.

Malcolm Armstrong, head of the university's school of sport and exercise science, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for both our students and theirs. It will also help to forge links between the university and Gambia and we hope to create a five-year project from this."

The project began last year when students Jon Rogers and Paul Whatmough travelled to the African nation to work at a school in Sererkunda.

"My dad has travelled to Gambia many times," said 20-year-old Jon.

"With me doing a sports degree he knew I wanted to do some coaching and suggested going over there, where they have few or no facilities."

With that the pair raised £3,000 in sponsorship to fund the trip.

"It was amazing," Jon said. "We didn't really know what to expect but when we got there it was so incredibly poor. The children were playing football on a dirt field, with no shoes, or just sandals, using whatever they could as a ball; melons, rolled up paper.

"There was just one proper football between the whole school. I just couldn't believe it."

Jon and Paul took bagfuls of clothes and equipment with them - something they are hoping to do again this year.

"The kids were so grateful for anything we gave them," said 19-year-old Paul.

"Ipswich Town FC gave us some shirts to take and the children loved them. It was incredible. They had nothing, so anything we had was a luxury to them."

The pair spent their time coaching the children in a variety of sports. "Most had never had a proper sports lesson," they said. "So it was great that we could pass on our skills and use the things that we had been taught at university."

During their time, the pair made it in to Gambia's national newspapers for their efforts and said the response from the locals was "exceptional".

When the pair came back they decided they wanted go again, but this time they wanted to take more coaches and expand the scheme. And so in June seven young men, including Paul and Jon, will travel to Gambia. They are Tom Clement, 21, Ian Urry, 21,Will Harding, 20, Adam Crowle, 20, and Tom Waud, 20.

Between them they need to raise about £10,000 to fund the trip, and are also seeking donations of clothes, sports equipment and pens, pencils and paper to take with them.

"We want to make a difference to the children over there, which is why we want to do things bigger and better this year," Jon said. "We know what to expect now so we have been able to make better plans for the trip."

As well as coaching the children, Jon and Paul said they also wanted to work with teachers at the school to pass on their coaching skills, letting them continue the lessons after the Worcester students have left.

"It is important to us that they can continue with the coaching after we have gone, so it is not just a three-week whim," Paul added.

Paul and Jon will fly out to Gambia in April, accompanied by two members of staff from the University of Worcester, to establish links between the university and the schools. The seven students will then fly out in June for the start of the scheme.

"We would be grateful for any help to get this project established," said Jon. "We would be willing to do presentations at companies about the scheme and show exactly how their money would be spent."

Anyone who is able to help with cash donations, sports equipment or clothes can contact the students by e-mailing them at uniworcgambia@ hotmail.co.uk