WHEN The Joshua Tree was first set up by Northwich couple Dai and Lynda Hill, they had a long-term vision of establishing a support centre too.

This would mean emotional and practical support for children and families affected by childhood cancer could happen right in the heart of the community.

The Northwich-based support centre finally opened its doors to families across the region earlier this year.

One parent recently attended a wellbeing session at the new facility.

They said: “My child had a fantastic morning at the new Joshua Tree Family Support Centre today – wow.

“It was amazing and very emotional to see it after all the hard work put into it by the team at The Joshua Tree.

“We started off making some delicious flapjacks and then enjoyed a lovely craft session and a walk in the woods – so beautiful, and such a happy place to have fun.

“Lockdown has had a huge effect on my daughter and has created a lot more anxieties for her, but having a place like the Joshua Tree Family Support Centre will mean children like her can have vital support, which is a great comfort.”

The Guardian is giving the much-loved charity in the town the chance to take a share of a £20,000 cash giveaway.

Our parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation, is providing £125k in cash to support local charities across the country and we have part of a £20k share to distribute across the north west.

We asked readers to decide where this money should be spent and after being inundated with nominations The Joshua Tree was put forward as the nominee from our area.

It joins a shortlist of seven other charities from across the region who will take a share of the available funding.

Now we are putting the power to allocate the cash back into the hands of our readers.

We need your help to make sure The Joshua Tree receives a big share of the money.

During November, you are invited to collect tokens printed inside the Guardian which can then be sent to collection points or posted.

Each token collected will then be used to allocate cash to the nominated charity – so if The Joshua Tree collects 50 per cent of all tokens collected, it will receive 50 per cent of the £20,000.

The Joshua Tree works closely with families affected by childhood cancers.

To get this week’s token turn to page 16. You can post your tokens or drop them off at the following collection points:

  • The Joshua Tree Reception, Dalefords Lane, Sandiway, CW8 2GW
  • Tesco Express, self-service area, 41-43 Chester Rd, Northwich, CW8 1HA
  • Handley’s News, Counter, 55-57 Mere Lane, Sandiway, CW8 2NR
  • Spar/Texaco, counter, Woodlands Garage, Runcorn Rd, Barnton, Northwich, CW8 4HX
  • Waitrose Customer Services, 22 London Rd, Northwich, CW9 5HD
  • White Ribbon Boutique, cash desk, U4, 47 High St, Northwich, CW9 5DD
  • Jack's Packing Area, Wheelock St, Middlewich, CW10 9BL
  • Morrisons, Customer Services, Newton Bank, Middlewich
  • Morrisons, Customer Services, Nat Lane, Winsford, CW7 3GZ
  • Asda Customer Services, The Drumber, Winsford, CW7 1BD
  • Tesco, Customer Services, Manchester Rd, Northwich, CW9 5LY
  • Co-op Rudheath, Self Service area, 249 Middlewich Rd, Rudheath, Northwich, CW9 7DR
  • Sainsbury’s Customer Services, Venables Rd, Northwich, CW9 5RT
  • The Coffee House, Cash Desk, Leicester St, Northwich, C9 5LG
  • Elson News, Counter, 281 Chester Rd, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 1QL

CASH FOR CHARITIES T&Cs:

Newsquest terms and conditions will apply where relevant to the grants process; visit newsquest.co.uk/prize-competition-rules. Personal data will be used by Newsquest and its agents solely for the administration of the grants process and will not be shared with any third party; our general privacy notice is at: newsquest.co.uk/privacy-policy. This campaign will be published in multiple Newsquest publications across the region. The value of the grant awarded to each of the eight charities chosen by our readers will be calculated pro rata according to their share of the vote. Only original voting coupons will be accepted, no photocopies. The cash grants will be sent by BACS transfer. Grants are conditional on completion of the relevant project and a successful nominee charity may be required to evidence its use of the grant. The charities selected have been contacted to provide additional information for the readers’ vote. They must be registered with the Charities Commission and have not received a grant from the Gannett Foundation in the past two years.