CHILDREN’S cancer charity The Joshua Tree is celebrating as it has been given planning permission for the new designs for its Support Centre in Sandiway.

The go-ahead for the new centre in Dalefords Lane comes at the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Lynda Hill, founder and CEO of The Joshua Tree, said: “We are thrilled that our new plans for our much-needed support centre have been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council planners and we can now look forward to making our vision for local families affected by childhood cancer becoming a reality next year.”

The Joshua Tree charity was founded 11 years ago by Winnington couple Lynda and David Hill after their son Joshua was diagnosed with leukaemia during his first term at school. Through their own personal experience of finding a ‘gap’ in the support offered to families during and post treatment for childhood cancer, the family decided to fundraise towards building a support centre for other families in similar circumstances.

The charity currently supports around 100 families across the north west living with the life changing experience of childhood cancer. It accommodates the whole family, patients, parents, siblings, grandparents and close friends with 1-2-1 support, practical and therapeutic help to ensure that life remains as normal as possible during an incredibly traumatic time.

Building work has started on the first phase of the new support centre facility and The Joshua Tree hopes to open the doors to families in Summer 2018.

Lynda said: “September is a very special month for our families and we hold a number of ‘gold ribbon events to show our solidarity and support for families with a child with cancer. To know that this time next year we’ll have the new support centre facility for them to receive support whenever they need it is amazing. We’re very grateful to our local community for continuing to volunteer, fundraise and support us. We couldn’t help the families that need us without our backbone of community volunteers.”

Featuring a multi-functional activity room, private counselling suites, office facilities, a small communal kitchen area, soft play and sensory equipment, a games room and outdoor play area, the new Joshua Tree Support Centre will provide an appropriate environment for families. accommodating children of all ages with a range of indoor and outdoor activities designed to stimulate the children and allow the family to experience much needed quality time together away from the confines of hospital treatment.

To find out more about the charity or to donate your skills or fundraise towards the build during #CCAM please visit www.thejoshuatree.org.uk or call 01606 331858.