The Joshua Tree is a charity we are proud to support with their incredible work, raising awareness of, and supporting families affected by childhood cancer. Thinking outside the box is so crucial, with the charity sector being so competitive now, particularly when it comes to funding and funding opportunities. As a funder, we always look for charities delivering the most unique and effective initiatives. So, we were really pleased to receive this news from The Joshua Tree about their ‘Around the World’ event, in Llaneros Old School Hall recently.

Danielle Percival, Head of Family Support said, “Students from Coleg Llandrillo helped to plan and deliver a wonderfully interactive event for our families. The event encompassed many things that a childhood cancer diagnosis takes away from a family. 

Togetherness – it offered the opportunity for people to connect with others that have a shared experience. To feel less alone and isolated at probably their most vulnerable time. 

A day out free of charge – this is vital to our families. Recent calculations by Young Lives vs Cancer shows that the additional costs for a family with a child on treatment is approx. £730 per month. This means that days out are often something people cannot afford. The Joshua Tree provided a day of entertainment, food and drinks and a clean, warm environment.

The power of play – We offer the opportunity for children to be children.

We know that children are experts in their play and that play contributes to a child’s overall well-being, happiness and ability to make friends. These are all crucial factors in our delivery, because all those we support are living throughout the trauma of childhood cancer, either directly or indirectly.

Free play is something that can be missed for long periods whilst a child is poorly in hospital. Siblings also miss out on opportunities due to gruelling treatment protocols taking up all their free time and having families travelling to and from the hospital. The Joshua Tree feels very privileged in being able to gift children the opportunity to have fun and escape from the demands of their cancer diagnosis. 

The event also gave us the opportunity to introduce the newest member of our team, Lea Jones. Lea has worked extensively with young people and adults across North Wales, supporting well-being and emotional health in educational settings, providing 1 to 1 support and leading creative group workshops.

The Joshua Tree receives no statutory funding so events such as the Around the World Day are only possible thanks to grant funding from wonderful foundations such as Neumark. Thank you for not only the financial support but for helping us to raise awareness and reach more families across North Wales.” Well done to everyone involved in making this such a successful event, and again thank you to The Joshua Tree for their wonderful work.