The Joshua Tree Holiday House and Support Centre for Courageous Kids and their Families

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Meet our team: The people who make it all work
Lynda Hill (Founder and Trustee) - After working in a respite care home for children with special needs in Berkshire, I spent a large part of my career in the NHS at Chester as a research psychologist before becoming a full time mum to Adam, Beth and Josh. During my career break I completed further studies in clinical and pastoral counselling. Josh was diagnosed with Leukaemia just one week into year one of his school life. He completed his treatment part way through year four (December 2007). His illness has consequently, focussed the direction of our lives; Dai and I are passionate about our charity and will work hard to see this project come alive. I am pretty bad at playing the piano! I love the theatre and going for walks when it’s sunny. Our family thrive on camping holidays and fresh air (but I have to take my duvet!). In my spare time I find myself heading towards ‘the land’ (where The Joshua Tree will be built) and quietly giving thanks to God for his hand of protection on our family. At other times I sleep!
David Hill (Founder and Trustee) - With a background in Chemistry, I left Southampton and married Lynda in 1990 where we moved to Northwich and have since stayed within the area. I work for the Health and Safety Executive based in Buxton, where my main role currently is risk assessment and computer programming. Starting the charity has been challenging to say the least but also extremely rewarding. It’s a privilege to be able to put time into the project and see it progress. We are so thankful for everyone’s support and enthusiasm! I love music and enjoy dabbling at the piano or cornet (but this is when the children go for the ear plugs!!) I also enjoy learning sign language and currently lead a ‘signing choir’ - Praising Palms at our local church. My last memories of camping in this country were rain, rain and more rain! Adam would like to walk Offas Dyke so my current challenge is to get fit and join him!
Jo Pritchard (Charity Manager) Diploma in General Practice Surveying MRICS Chartered Surveyor Cert. Ed. Previously Estates Manager for Matalan Retail Ltd, Estates Surveyor with English Partnerships, Surveyor with Fifield Glyn Ltd 15 years experience in property Additional previous experience in sales and transport management Parent Helper at Primary School supporting Year 6 Jo’s son Jamie finished treatment for Leukaemia in Sept ‘08 and is currently in remission
Meet our team: Trustees
Lynda Bedford BA (Hons) Psychology PGCE 7 years experience as a Primary School Teacher 9 years experience as a teacher at a pre-school 20 years experience of running 2 weekly toddler groups (0 – 4 years) and a youth group (6-12 years) on a voluntary basis at Bethel Church Wide experience of managing a diverse team of volunteers
Mike Bedford BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering PGCE 28 years experience as a Maths teacher at a comprehensive school Elder of Bethel Church and Child Protection Co-ordinator Board Director of Merseyside Christian Youth Camps
Rob Plant - I am a practising architect and, as such, have a keen interest in the design and sustainability of The Joshua Tree Project. A cancer survivor myself, I am also more than aware of the role of beautiful spaces and natural surroundings in the healing process. It is a real privilege to be part of the project and we are very excited about the potential of the site, which is not far from where we live. I also love cycling (to and from work mostly), playing around with the spaces in my own house and helping to run our church youth group. Our own four children keep us pretty busy but that’s also a joy as, at one time, cancer had significantly reduced our chances of having a family at all. Amazing how things turn out!
Mel Plant - I trained as a teacher of modern languages and enjoy combining that with my more recent role as Special Needs Coordinator in my school. It has been a great pleasure to be involved with the Joshua Tree and amazing to see just how many people have been inspired to help us. For me, one of the high points so far, was seeing a rainbow over the land on the day we chose to go for that particular site. I love gardening and green spaces so I’m looking forward to doing some serious planting when the time comes. Rob has also grown some baby oaks (planted in the year The Joshua Tree Project was born), which we hope to transfer to the site.
Diane Wright - After spending over 20 years in marketing in large consumer goods organisations the arrival of my second child gave me the opportunity to rethink my career and I made the move into Higher Education to become a lecturer in marketing. I am now Head of Business and Management at the Cheshire Faculty of Manchester Metropolitan University. A real interest of mine which is part of my job is offering support and advice to women starting up their own business and with a colleague I run an organisation called ‘MizBiz’. I am studying for a PhD related to this area. With two teenage daughters (Chloe and Lucy) life becomes very busy but being involved with the Joshua Tree puts this ‘busy-ness’ into perspective. Seeing what Lynda and Dai have done to take the Joshua Tree forward following Josh’s illness has touched many people causing them to reflect on the important things in life. The Joshua Tree has already made a tremendous impact even before the building work starts; I can’t wait to see what will happen when the Joshua Tree Holiday Home opens its doors.
Peter Smith - Lynda & Dai’s faith and vision for the Joshua Tree has touched many hearts and minds. This has resulted in a charity that is moving at a pace and has gained momentum beyond our wildest dreams. Like the other Directors I feel privileged to be a part of a team whose goal is to realise a holiday house and support centre for courageous kids and their families. I am married to Diane and we have two daughters. I have spent half my career in advertising design and the other in a creative retail environment. The latter being one of the largest companies on Merseyside where for several years I served on the charity committee who substantially supported disadvantaged young people and families facing crisis. My passion is for photography and if I had my time over I would strive to be a photojournalist. Norman Rockwell is my favourite illustrator who held up a friendly mirror to the American society in which he lived. I attempt to keep myself physically fit by long distance running and it gives me valuable thinking time.
Gwyn Parry - I love bridges and reservoirs and buildings - in fact anything that Civil Engineers are involved in - except sewers. After 16years in Engineering and Project Management I left the industry and went to Bible College and studied Applied Theology. Just over three years ago, I was ordained and became the pastor of a church in Kinmel Bay, North Wales. I am married to Eunice - a musician - and have two teenage sons, Aled - who loves computers - and Joel - a drummer. My means of escape from everybody and everything is a motorbike and books; but not at the same time you understand. The long winding roads of the Conwy valley and Snowdonia are a joy to behold! The Joshua Tree vision is just superb - we are called by God to help the vulnerable - and what better way to fulfill that call than to build this fabulous centre. It is a privilege indeed to be on board.
Meet our team: Regular Supporters / Volunteers
Katie Moore I began volunteering for the charity in the summer of 2009 whilst in my second year at Lancaster University. Everyone immediately made me feel welcome and I had a variety of projects to get on with including window and wall displays, art work, charity boxes and preparing for fundraising events. Having enjoyed it so much over the summer, I have continued volunteering for The Joshua Tree, it is great to see a charity develop from the beginning, with so many supporters and I wish it all the success in the future.
Gil Whitmore
Ted and Daphne Hawker
Meet our team: Patrons
Paul Pashley
Tom Davies - In May 2006, as the Mayor of Northwich, I chose The Joshua Tree as my nominated charity. My background has, for the last 35 years, been mainly the development of sport in schools. Having been a former player of football, rugby, cricket and athletics, I took up the challenge of coaching and am the founder of Multiflex UK - a sports development company. I have created links with schools, colleges, clubs, local authorities and industry. Thank you for the opportunity to support The Joshua Tree, a cause that will benefit many young people and their families.