Young people living in Africa are being given the tools to help lift themselves out of poverty – quite literally – thanks to donations from tradesmen and women in the Helston and Lizard area.

They have been among those donating old and unused tools to the Porthleven branch of RGB Buildings Supplies, together with other branches across the region.

The company has teamed up with Devon-based charity Amigos, which has been working in Uganda for nearly 20 years and for the last nine has been providing vocational training in construction skills.

Throughout June and July, a total of 33 ‘dumpy bags’ of tools were collected across the RGB network and in some cases, instead of donating pre-loved tools RGB customers bought brand new items to leave at the drop zones.

Lee Atkinson, branch manager at RGB Porthleven, said: “We’re thrilled with the response we had to the appeal.

“Something that may have been gathering dust in a garage or shed will now go on to make a real difference to young people’s lives, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to our customers and the big-hearted local community for their fantastic support.”

Amigos chief executive Phil Pugsley said the impact the tools would make in Africa was “beyond measure.”

He added: “Everyone who has supported this campaign has played a big part in changing many people’s lives, and for that we can’t thank you enough.

“Tools not only help make and repair things, but they also put food on the table, send kids to school, repair boreholes and bicycles, and even help put roofs on people’s mud huts so they can keep dry.”

Plans are already underway to repeat the project in 2020.