Light Up a Life
Dedicate a bauble or light on our Virtual Christmas Tree in tribute to a loved one or someone special.
The holiday season is a time for connection and reflection, filled with memories of those we love.
Light Up A Life is a heartfelt way to honour someone special, keeping their presence close and their memory bright.
Christmas messages from our patrons Harry Redknapp and Lydia Lucy
Recycle your Christmas tree
and make your New Year stress-free!
Let us take care of your real Christmas tree. No mess, no stress — just convenience for you and smiles for those we help!
All donations go to The Dream Factory. Minimum donation £12.
Media 10
We are delighted that Media 10, event organisers based in Loughton Essex, have announced that The Dream Factory is one of their nominated charities for 2025. Our Patron Josh Mills is an employee of Media 10 and they have kindly donated all the proceeds from their Christmas Jumper Day raised by the staff. We are incredibly grateful for your support and thrilled to begin the year with such a fantastic partner. Together we will continue to make dreams come true and create unforgettable memories for those who need them most.
Ethan’s Christmas Dream Comes True
At six years old, Ethan began exhibiting flu like symptoms. He developed swollen lymph nodes under both ears, red spots on his chest, nosebleeds, and pain in both legs making it difficult for him to walk.
Ethan was taken to the GP on three separate occasions, but each time, the GP reassured the family that Ethan was simply battling severe flu.
Help Bhavya’s Dream Come True
Our Dream Makers visited gorgeous 5 years old Bhavya to discuss her dream to have a wonderful 6th Birthday with her friends and family. Bhavya was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in July 2023 and is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment.
Help Us Make Ethan’s Christmas Toy Dream Come True
Ethan is 8 years old this is his story. At 6 years old, Ethan began exhibiting flulike symptoms. He developed swollen lymph nodes under both ears, red spots on his chest, nosebleeds, and pain in both legs making it difficult for him to walk. Ethan was taken to the GP on three separate occasions, but each time, the GP reassured the family that Ethan was simply battling a severe flu.
Dream Making in Progress
Our Dream Makers visited gorgeous thirteen year old Jennifer to discuss her dream. Jennifer was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and is a full time wheelchair user. Jennifer loves football and gaming. Jennifer’s dream is to have a Xbox and a adaptive controller to play FC24 with her brother. The Dream Factory will also include Xbox vouchers so Jennifer is able to enhance her Xbox experience.
Whizzing Wheels Santa Skate
We had such a fun day collaborating with Wheels & Wheelchairs at The Ilford Exchange Shopping Centre, bringing together some of our families. Read more to see some pictures.
Isobel’s Dream
Twenty-one year old Isobel was diagnosed with Metastic Uterine Sarcoma.
Isobel’s dream was to own a Louis Vuitton handbag. With the help of the wonderful staff at Louis Vuitton store at the London Royal Exchange we were able to give Isobel a personal shopping experience to find her ideal bag.
Rafin’s Dream
Six year old Rafin was diagnosed with B Cell non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Rafin has long hospital stays and has just come home after a twelve week stay.
Apple iPad Dream
The Dream Factory received a Dream Request for a 22-year-old girl diagnosed with Amolblastoma – a huge tumour that protrudes from her mouth. Sadly there is currently no further treatment available and she is currently receiving experimental treatment. She hardly leaves the house and struggles to speak.
Please support the dream factory
Avril Mills BEM, Founder and Trustee
Interview on BBC Radio
A message
I founded my charity in memory of my son, Oliver. When Oliver was three, he got leukemia; unfortunately, when he was nine he passed away. So founding my charity was something I wanted to do, and so The Dream Factory was born.
The children we help are from the ages of three to twenty-five, with life-threatening, life-limiting conditions or severe disabilities. We also do many end-of-life dreams.
We’ve granted many hundreds of dreams already, but we need more help. We need donations, we need sponsorship, and we always need good volunteers. We don’t get any government funding, so we rely on you. If you think you can help us, please contact us. Or please make a donation. With help from you, we make dreams come true.
