For BBC Children in Need, a special DIY SOS took on one of its most ambitious builds - doubling the size of The Joshua Tree children’s cancer support centre

For BBC Children in Need, a special DIY SOS took on one of its most ambitious builds - doubling the size of The Joshua Tree children's cancer support centre.

Normally, such an epic build would take 12 months, which would mean closing the centre and leaving families without vital support - so Pudsey challenged the DIY SOS team to get the build done in just 12 days.

Trades from Barratt Redrow and Oregon joined an army of volunteers to build the extension, working around the clock.

The 450 families who rely on The Joshua Tree now have access to a new gym, therapy and counselling rooms, safe play areas and family lodges.

We're also sponsoring the new lodges, which enables families to stay onsite for the first time – a boost of about £60,000 to the charity. A further £8,000 is going towards equipment and services to meet increasing demand for support.

Rich Driffield, Chief Executive of The Joshua Tree, said: "The demand for our work continues to grow on a national scale, and this partnership with Barratt Redrow will help us to support even more families in the coming year. We are hugely grateful for all their support."

Barratt Redrow's Chief Executive David Thomas added: "The Joshua Tree offers warmth, compassion and strength to those navigating the hardest of journeys, and their dedication has moved all of us deeply. Seeing how our donation and our team's involvement with the DIY SOS for Children in Need build will help even more families in the future is truly humbling."

Among the trades supporting Barratt Redrow's team were Rigby Plastering, Redrose drylining, Peninsula Scaffolding Ltd and Fox Group.

📺Watch DIY SOS for Children in Need on BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002m42l/diy-sos-children-in-need-special-2025