P OST photographer Giovanni Diffidenti hopes to put a spring in the step of a

group of budding gymnasts - by raising $3,000 to pay for a proper tumbling mat

for them.

The big-hearted Italian was moved to see youngsters at the

National Stadium having to make do with a pit of earth covered with a carpet to

carry out their floor exercises.

The lensmen took a stunning series of

black and white photos around the stadium, including this one, and is planning

to exhibit them at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Cambodia in Phnom Penh in

the next few days.

All proceeds from sales of photos at the exhibition

will go towards paying for a tumbling mat.

Giovanni said: "They are all

very keen to become good gymnasts but what they are using now for their

exercises could easily cause an injury, it is a very hard surface to land on."