Members of Ludlow Baptist Church want to raise £27,000 to take 14 people and thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment to Guyana for a sports outreach project.
Working with Shropshire-based charity, Hope and a Future Trust, they will set up schemes in five different locations and build a basketball court.
They have already received equipment from Liverpool FC and Brighton and Hove Albion and Glasgow Rangers will also be making a donation.
Minster Jon Edwards said: “Guyana is a desperately poor country with some of the most porous borders in the world, 90 per cent of the world’s illegal cocaine passes through there.
“It’s a very difficult world for people to grow up in.
“The idea is to give the young people an alternative to gang culture and drugs
“Guyana is very big on sport and it seemed the obvious link.”
Mr Edwards said getting hold of equipment in Guyana was a problem.
He said: “We are looking to take everything from shinpads to goal posts.”
Those committed to the project include Mick Murphy from Shropshire FA and local community support officer Julian Greenway.
The plan for those taking part is to do basic coaching qualifications so they can train people over there to maintain the project.
Mr Edwards added: “The focus is on athletics, basketball, football and cricket.
“We’re hoping young people will be attracted to this and committed to it and have something else to do.”
The Hope and a Future Trust is well-established in Guyana with contacts in schools and churches.
Those involved are looking for sponsors. Ludlow Baptist Church has written to sports clubs countrywide asking for any donations of money, equipment or training manuals.
Jon Edwards said: “We have approached various grant-making bodies and we are hoping to get sponsorship locally.
“It’s the kind of thing where anything from £10 to £50 will help.”
The plan is to leave on October 25 and fly back on November 9.
Anyone wanting to go should be over 18.
For more information, log on to www.ludlowbaptistchurch.co.uk
Anyone wanting to contribute should call Jon Edwards at the baptist church office on 01584 874076.
