A CHILDREN'S charity is urging the community to dig deep and help them get spades in the ground by their 10th birthday.

The Joshua Tree has launched its Dig Deep campaign, backed by the Guardian, to raise £250,000 by May 2016 so it can start construction of its much-needed support centre.

The charity was set up in May 2006 by the Hill family, from The Pippins, who wanted to build a holiday home and support centre where children with life threatening illnesses and their families could enjoy free short breaks.

In the past eight years it has bought land in Dalefords Lane, in Sandiway, won planning permission for the project and opened a temporary support centre at its Northwich headquarters, in Venables Road, which already helps 30 families.

This proven need for the centre, as well as the daunting £1.9 million cost of the total build, has inspired the charity to focus on the support centre as an achievable phase one.

Lynda Hill, The Joshua Tree's founder and chief executive, said: "When we started out in 2006 our aim was to build a safe haven for families of children with cancer where they could go and escape the confines of treatment and be together as a family.

"As we have developed the needs of our families have shaped our plans and the demand on our support service for families has dramatically increased – to the point where we need a better space for them.

"We still want to build the holiday house alongside the support centre but our priority has to be to support our children, siblings, parents and grandparents in an appropriate environment."

The support centre, designed by Memorial Court designers Ellis Williams Architects, will feature a multi-functional activity room, private counselling suites, office facilities, a small cafe area, soft play and sensory equipment, games room, outdoor play area and landscaped gardens.

The Joshua Tree team stresses that every penny counts as £10 contributes towards a support session for a child or adult, £30 will pay for a family to receive a support session, £50 enables training support for staff at a child's school and £250 will secure the construction of one square metre of the support centre.

The team is also keen to hear from anyone who can offer skills or materials.

Sara Wheater, from the charity, said: "When The Joshua Tree was first set up we got offers from local building firms and we would still welcome that kind of support."

For more information or to donate visit justgiving.com/TheJoshuaTree or ring the office on 01606 331858.