Duerr’s digs deep for Joshua Tree kids

Manchester based jam and preserve maker, Duerr’s, has joined The Joshua Tree charity to start work on a new adventure playground in Cheshire designed specifically for children living with the life-changing experience of childhood cancer.

The playground is being made possible thanks to a donation of £40,000, which was raised by Duerr’s at its annual ball which took place in November last year.

The £40k Duerr’s raised will build a brand new all-ability playground at the support centre The Joshua Tree is building in Sandiway, Northwich and is due to open in 2019.

The Joshua Tree charity supports families across the North West and North Wales living with childhood cancer, providing help that is tailored to their needs.

The extensive, all access outdoor play area will provide families visiting its centre with a vital chance to play without risk of infection; a crucial consideration for immunosuppressed children who are advised not to play in public playcentres or playgrounds when undergoing treatment. It will also provide families with a space to receive therapy through play, enabling them to build memories together during a challenging time.

Its features will include a tree house, a story telling chair, musical play, an outdoor gym, rope climbs, scramble nets and a water wall. All of which are designed to encourage imaginative and social play and to allow children of different abilities to play side by side.

The money raised at Duerr’s Tutti Fruiti 1950s themed evening, held at The Mere resort in Cheshire, was thanks to a packed room of 350 plus guests who dug deep for a variety of money-can’t-buy auction and raffle prizes, including diamond earrings and an Armani watch.

Reflecting on the impact of the donation from the 18th charity ball held by the company, Director of Marketing, Richard Duerr, says: “We chose to support The Joshua Tree charity because of the excellent work they carry out helping families in the North West during an incredibly traumatic time. We would like to thank our extended family of friends, colleagues and suppliers for continuing to support us and our charity efforts.”

Joshua Hill, who the charity is named after, attended the ball with his parents Lynda and David. David says: “The adventure playground will make a massive difference to the many families, who access The Joshua Tree services. We would like to say a massive thank you to Duerr’s for making this possible.”

Peter Smith from The Joshua Tree adds: “The Joshua Tree Support Centre will provide an appropriate environment for our families accommodating children of all ages from toddlers through to teenagers.

“It will feature a multi-functional activity room, private counselling and therapy suites, office facilities and meeting room, a community ‘heart space’ area with access to a kitchen stocked with family meals, soft play and sensory equipment, a games room and, importantly, an extensive play area – thanks to this funding from Duerr’s – which will be surrounded by landscaped gardens.”