A teenager temporarily saved from being sent back to Afghanistan is appealing for help to cover the cost of an appeal against his deportation.

Najibullah Hashimi will have his case heard at London's Taylor House Immigration and Asylum Tribunal Court on Wednesday, April 24.

But as he has been refused legal aid, he will have to foot the bill himself -estimated to be in excess of £1,600.

In previous appeals, the 18-year-old said he feared he would be killed if returned to the country he fled in 2006.

Najibullah, pictured right, also argued he had made a new life for himself here.

But the Home Office ordered his removal and he was due to be flown to the Afghan capital of Kabul on Monday, March 18.

More than 2,300 people signed an online petition backing the Sittingbourne Community College (SCC) student to remain in Britain.

As a result of the campaign, the teenager was released from an immigration removal centre in Dover on March 21 - two days before his 19th birthday.

Najib said he is hoping staff and pupils at SCC and Rodmersham Cricket Club, which he plays for, will help him.

He said: "I'm going to ask the college when they return after the Easter break if they will hold a non-uniform day where students pay £1 to wear their own clothes for the day.

"The cricket club has also said it will help by holding a fundraiser. I'm hoping people will help as I don't have that kind of money."

"i'm hoping people will help as i don't have that kind of money..." – najibullah hashimi

The keen cricketer, his mother, sister and uncle fled the northern Afghan city of Baghlan and moved to Pakistan after his father and brother were killed by an "area commander".

Three years later, news reached them that this man had tracked them down.

As a result, they decided the teenager would flee to England.

He arrived on February 27, 2009, aged 14, on the back of a lorry in Dover.

After a short stay in Ashford, he was moved to a foster family in Sittingbourne before finally being taken in by Steve and Michelle Griffiths, who live in Faversham.

He barely spoke a word of English, but is now fluent.

The teenager, who has been living independently since he turned 18, has 13 GCSEs and is in his last year of studying towards a level 3 BTEC diploma in sport.

Mr Griffiths said: "We've got to remain hopeful."

To make a donation, email steve.griffiths@hotmail.com.