A Birmingham construction skills training centre is the inspiration for a charity project in West Africa.

Willmott Dixon’s 4Life Academy opened in Aston earlier this year and the company is working with UK charity Dekamile to deliver an academy in the village of Agome-sevah, Togo.

Willmott Dixon’s repairs and maintenance brand, Partnerships, has challenged its apprentices to raise £12,000 to help build the new academy.

The top four fundraisers will then be given the opportunity to travel to Togo to help build the facility and pass on their trade skills to people living in the village.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships managing director, Mick Williamson, said: “This new academy will enable us to reach communities much further afield and spread our ‘Skills 4 Life’ ethos to Agome-sevah.”

Rod Unger, founder of Dekamile, said: “We’re really grateful.”