Seamans Building has donated a van-full of tools to a charity set up to help people in the developing world generate their own income.

Suffolk charity Tools with a Mission (TWAM) ships packs of refurbished tools to Africa, giving people the means to create livelihoods and new businesses.

The idea is to create a mindset of independence, not reliance, and to give people the tools to build their own sustainable careers.

In December, the team from TWAM visited Seamans’ headquarters in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, to collect the tools – including a range of grinders, drills and cutting tools.

David Hart, Contracts Manager at Seamans, said: “We are proud to play our part in helping people across Africa create new ways of making a living.

“It is wonderful that craftspeople in the UK can help gift tools to fellow craftspeople across Africa –we all share that love of making things by hand.

“It is such a worthwhile cause, and it is great to think these tools will make a real difference to lives across the developing world.”

Tools With a Mission, based in Ipswich, sends trade kits of tools to be used in training centres across Africa, giving people the opportunity to hone their skills and make a sustainable living.

James Noble, Fundraising and Communications Officer at TWAM, said: “We are so grateful to Seamans Building for the large quantity of tools that they donated to us, which were all in such good condition.

“Our tools go to various countries in Africa, where they help vulnerable people living in extreme poverty to learn valuable skills that will transform their lives.

“The money that the tools and skills bring them allows them to feed their families every day and send their children to school.

“The tools from Seamans Building will play a huge role in reducing poverty and suffering in Africa.”

To find out more about Tools With a Mission and how to support them , visit www.twam.uk