A TEAM of young rugby players are scrummaging down to raise money for a trip of a lifetime to South Africa.

The players from Laurence Jackson School and Guisborough Rugby Club are aiming to raise £1,500 per student through a range of fundraising exercises.

To launch their campaign the youngsters took part in a fun run during the town's fair and they are planning to pull together a celebrity cook book.

PE teacher at the school, Les Thomson said the tour will give the 30 young players a chance to sample life on both sides of the tracks in Cape Town.

He said: "We are trying to make it as affordable as possible for all the 30 players who will be going on the trip. We have already secured over £8,000 from fundraising events and grants but the more we can raise the better.

"The matches are going to be played in the Cape Town area and will include games against teams from both private schools and schools from the townships.

"The tour will be eye opening for the players because they will be able to see first hand the level of deprivation that exists in South Africa as well as gaining wonderful playing experiences.

"We have lined up a number of other fundraising events including a ball at Gisborough Hall, collecting change from people to create a mile of pennies and a Coast to Coast sponsored walk."

One of the young players, Curtis Walker, has already written to a number of people in a bid to get their favourite recipe.

He wrote: "I know that as celebrities you probably get inundated with similar letters, but we would greatly appreciate it if you could please send us your favourite recipe so we can include it in a book of famous celebrities that we can sell to bring the costs down.

"The tour will be a marvellous once in a lifetime experience for us all and we may never get the chance again. The tour will be a valuable educational experience to us and we will get to sample and learn about a different culture."

Anyone wanting to make a donation or sponsor the players should call the school on 01287-636361.