COMMUNITY-minded Tom White, from Beighton, is set to fly to Fiji to teach children, build essential facilities and coach youngsters in football, cricket and netball.

And as Tom, from Chapel Road, spends ten weeks in the Pacific country he hopes his love of Norwich City Football Club rubs off on his new-found friends.

The University of East Anglia accounting and finance graduate will be in the remote and poor Lomaiviti region of Fiji with 17 other young people as part of a Think Pacific expedition.

As well as teaching children and sports coaching, Tom will live with a Fijian family, help to farm plantations and learn how to spear fish from reefs. One challenge he faces will be to persuade Fijians to try out football, cricket and netball instead of their favourite sport of rugby union. Tom, whose favourite Canaries player is Grant Holt, will also be arranging a sports contest between rival villages and islands. He will also be creating a website blog as he helps the people of Fiji by building community facilities, such as a village hall in temperatures reaching 30C.

Tom said: “I am looking forward to my time in Fiji – although I am a bit nervous. It will be a really good challenge and I will give it my best shot to try and make some Fijians become Norwich City fans.”

Think Pacific, which is based in Leeds, was formed over a decade ago to provide trips to Fiji to offer life- changing experiences for young people as they work on ethical, responsible and sustainable development projects on the poorest islands of the South Seas.

The company’s website says: “During your project, you will experience life at the heart of a traditional village and make close friends with some wonderful people. Fijian culture is vibrant and fascinating.”

Tom needs to raise �2,750 for his ten-week trip in April. Anyone who wants to support his Think Pacific expedition can email him at t.white89@btinternet.com