GARETH Dooling doesn't believe in doing things by halves. For while most school-leavers are already getting their first taste of university or working life, the 18-year-old is preparing to take seven months out to travel to Tanzania where he will teach English to young people living in villages.

Gareth, from Moore Way, Rainhill, got the posting through Gap Challenge, an organisation which sets up opportunities for young school-leavers to take temporary jobs abroad before taking up their university studies.

He told the Star: "I was thrilled when I found I had been selected because the selection process was quite hard. However, I am a bit apprehensive about it now, mostly because of the language barrier. I am going to have to learn a bit of Swahili before I go."

However, despite the fact that he will be teaching, Gareth is less sure about taking up the profession as a full-time career. The former Rainhill High School pupil who excelled in geography and sports - he was a regular county footballer for Merseyside - will take up a place reading geography at Sheffield University when he completes his seven-month spell. He added: "Initially I will be teaching English but I am hoping to teach geography and sport as well because they are my main subjects.

"There are about 35 people going to Tanzania and we will all be stationed somewhere when we get there, probably in groups of two or three. I am really looking forward to the experience. Both my parents are teachers, so in a small way I will be carrying on the family tradition. After my six months with the school, I am then hoping to spend a month travelling around the country before returning home."

However, Gareth, who flies out this month, has had to cover the cost of his own transport and accommodation expenses and, despite getting a job to help cover the cost, he is looking for sponsorship from local firms.

United Glass in Peasley Cross Lane have already made a welcome donation of £100 and any other local companies or individuals willing to help out can contact Gareth on 0151 289 8082.

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