At F.H.Brundle, we’re proud that our products are used in extraordinary ways, from landmark developments to community projects that change lives. And we have been honoured to play a part in something truly special: donating more than £3,500 worth of materials to a BBC DIY SOS: The Big Build project for BBC Children in Need, helping to transform the facilities of The Joshua Tree, a Cheshire-based children’s cancer charity.

Supplied by our Newton-le-Willows branch, our POSIglaze glass balustrade system helped bring to life a brand-new support centre designed to make a lasting difference to children and families affected by childhood cancer. The build was completed in an incredible 11 days, with the help of over 400 skilled tradespeople and volunteers and it was all captured by the BBC’s cameras for this year’s BBC Children in Need special, which was screened on BBC on Thursday, November 13.

About the project

The Joshua Tree, founded in 2006, provides bespoke emotional and practical support to families across the North West and North Wales living with the life-changing impact of childhood cancer. Demand for the charity’s services has grown dramatically in recent years, and their existing centre was simply no longer large enough to meet the needs of families who rely on them.

That’s where BBC DIY SOS, in collaboration with BBC One’s Morning Live, stepped in, embarking on an ambitious project to redevelop and expand the charity’s Cheshire support centre into a warm, welcoming, and fully accessible space.

The transformation includes dedicated areas for therapy, a holistic wellness suite, and a purpose-built gym for children and adults, all designed to nurture confidence, resilience, and well-being.

The POSIglaze frameless glass balustrade

When the call came in from South Shore Productions in mid-September, with filming already underway and the clock ticking, our design and technical teams quickly identified the POSIglaze frameless glass balustrade system as the perfect solution for the new building’s upper-level gym area.

“We supplied a frameless glass balustrade for a balcony area that opens from the gym,” explains Liz Fielden, CAD Manager at F.H.Brundle. “We needed a system that was not only safe for children and families but could also be supplied and installed within an incredibly tight time frame. Our POSIglaze system was ideal, we could use standard, off-the-shelf glass panels, and get everything to site within just three days.”

POSIglaze is a sleek, fully adjustable aluminium channel system designed for 12–21.5 mm glass panels. Its modular design allows for quick installation, precision alignment, and exceptional durability, making it ideal for both domestic and commercial environments. Available in silver anodised or black finishes, it delivers the perfect combination of safety, strength, and style.

Meeting the brief under intense pressure

Even by DIY SOS standards, the timeline was demanding. With the BBC’s team already filming on site, there was no room for delay.

“The main challenge was the short time frame we had,” continues Liz. “We literally had three days to supply the complete balustrade system, including the glass. That meant every department had to pull together, from CAD design and technical approvals through to logistics and dispatch.”

“Safety was also a top priority, with children and their families using the balcony, so we needed to ensure the system met all relevant regulations and loadings. Everyone put their hands to the pump, and the results were fantastic.”

Our Liveconfigurator™ design tool, developed by our expert design team, proved invaluable in designing the glass balustrade, providing a full set of CAD drawings within minutes. Find out more about our award-winning, free online design tool here.

The F.H.Brundle team worked over the weekend to ensure the materials were delivered on time, demonstrating the company’s trademark responsiveness and commitment to quality.

A lasting impact

When the DIY SOS team revealed the completed project, the reaction from The Joshua Tree’s staff, families, and volunteers was one of pure joy.

“This project really is transformational for us as a charity,” said Debbie Wilkinson, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Joshua Tree. “It will make such a big difference to the support and services we can offer — not just to the families we currently help, but to many more who will come forward because of this incredible new space. To have companies like F.H.Brundle supply materials and expertise means such a lot. Without their support, builds like this just wouldn’t be possible.”

Liz added: “It feels amazing to see the balcony in place now, knowing the effort everyone put in to get it there in such a short time, and it looks brilliant. For F.H.Brundle to be involved in a project like this means the world to all of us. We’re so proud to have played even a small part in creating a space that will have such a positive, lasting impact.”

Delivering the right products, fast

“This was a perfect example of the solution-focused service we’re known for,” adds Michael Brundle, Managing Director at F.H.Brundle. “From the initial call to final delivery, our teams went above and beyond to make it happen. Despite the intense pressure and the tight window, we were delighted to help. Seeing how our products can contribute to something that changes lives is incredibly rewarding.”

This project perfectly illustrates F.H.Brundle’s ability to respond quickly, combining vast stock availability, technical expertise, and nationwide logistics to meet even the most demanding schedules.

“We pride ourselves on being able to get the right products to our customers quickly,” says Michael. “With eight strategically located branches and a fleet of over 70 vehicles, we maintain 98% stock availability across nearly 13,000 products. Whether it’s a bespoke glass balustrade or large-scale architectural steelwork, our customers know they can rely on us for fast, reliable delivery and outstanding technical support.”

Discover our range of glass balustrades

A frameless glass balustrade delivers a sleek, contemporary aesthetic while maximising light and visibility — ideal for balconies, terraces, and stairways. At F.H.Brundle, we offer an extensive range of frameless and semi-frameless glass balustrade systems to suit every application and budget.

Our systems, including the innovative POSIglaze range, are designed for ease of installation, strength, and long-term performance, with options for side or base-fix configurations in a variety of finishes. Whether you’re working on a residential balcony or a major commercial development, our expert team can help you specify the right solution quickly and efficiently.

Explore our full range of glass balustrades here, view our latest catalogue, or contact your nearest branch to discuss your project.

Continuing to support The Joshua Tree

F.H.Brundle’s commitment to The Joshua Tree doesn’t end with this build. Inspired by the charity’s extraordinary work, our team has also been raising funds to further support its mission to help families affected by childhood cancer.

You can join us in supporting this incredible cause by donating via our JustGiving page.

The Joshua Tree

The Joshua Tree provides emotional, wellbeing, and practical support to families affected by childhood cancers. We help children, young people, and their families cope with the life-changing impact of cancer, empowering them to thrive during treatment and beyond. They are a non-profit charity.

They provide bespoke programmes of support to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of families affected by childhood cancers across North West England and North Wales.

They understand that every family’s journey is unique, which is why their support is designed to meet individual needs – whether a child is recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment, in recovery, or bereaved.

From counselling and practical guidance to fun, therapeutic activities, they are there to ensure that no family faces their journey alone.

To find out more, visit https://thejoshuatree.org.uk/