FOUR construction apprentices will travel to Africa this month after helping raise more than £12,000 to build a school.

The youngsters, who work for Burnley housing association, The Calico Group, will spend three weeks in the Rwenzori region of Uganda, as part of a skills exchange.

Brandon Coppock, 18, George Birbeck, 19, both from Burnley, Jonathan Hartley, 22, from Blackburn, and Ted Mossop, 18, from Lancaster, will be among a party of six making the trip, thanks to fundraising activities such as a sponsored head-shave and Vinyl Records Day at their Croft Street offices.

The inspiration for the trip came from Stuart Graham, who runs the group's apprentice scheme and went to Uganda himself last year.

He worked on a construction project to build a school and found the experience so rewarding that he felt obliged to offer the opportunity to his own apprentices.

He said: “The time I spent in Uganda was the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. Not only is it great training, working outdoors in the extreme heat, but it’s also eye-opening to see the conditions the children live in, and to know that the work you do over there will have such a profound impact on their lives.”

“I’m so very pleased that not only will the apprentices have this incredible opportunity, but the good work, which makes such a difference to a whole community’s wellbeing, will continue.”

The four apprentices are employed by the Constructing for the Future Apprenticeship Scheme, run by the Construction Industrial Training Board (CITB), in conjunction with Calico.

George Birbeck said: “Raising the money has been tough – at times, I was almost convinced we couldn’t do it, but it’s so worth it to have raised the money. We can’t wait to go.”

Sian Williams, of CITB, said: “It’s great to see the apprentices taking part in such a worthwhile activity. We’re very proud of them for having the determination and motivation to raise the money and wish them the best of luck.”