The Dream Factory children’s charity have now granted an amazing 730 dreams for children and young adults with life threatening illnesses, severe disabilities and end of life dreams. They also have 50 dreams on their waiting list to be granted, showing how the Essex charities aims have never been more important.
‘I founded The Dream Factory in memory of my son Oliver who I miss every day,’ says founder Avril Mills BEM. ‘We recently held our first ever Drag Bingo Charity Lunch afternoon, which was a big success. With 70 guests attending, everybody had so much fun. Present were our Patrons, Vicky Michelle MBE, Christine Ohuruogu MBE and Anne Wafula Strike MBE, who all spoke to the ladies about why they are Patrons. A massive thank you to our amazing and very talented drag queen, Scarlett Diamonte , who hosted the afternoon, and Terry Tew Sound & Lighting for once again donating his staff and expertise making sure everything ran smoothly.
‘The whole afternoon raised £6,500 enabling us to grant a dream for Darshil, a very brave seven-year-old with leukaemia, whose dream is to to Legoland in Denmark,’ Avril adds. ‘Thank you to all our sponsors for this event, GCIS, Clinton Lewin, BEW and Lexus Cars. I would also like to thank everyone who donated raffle prizes and of course our dream team of volunteers.
Last but not least, a big thank you to Linguine Restaurant in Hainault for holding the event and whose food was fabulous’.
The Dream Factory raises money in various ways in order to grant more dreams and they are not government funded. They have two wonderful events on the horizon that will hopefully continue to bring in funds.
On 24th November, The Dream Factory will be collaborating with Wheels for Wheelchairs charity, a group of skaters who push wheelchair users around a track so they can enjoy the sensory rush of speed. This will be held from 6pm at The Ilford Exchange.
Then, trustee Mitchell Goldie and The Dream Factory will be out in force on 8th December for some festive fun. Join them for a Christmas Train Ride and much more at Ridgeway Park in Chingford between 10.30am – 2.30 pm.
Of course, they always need more volunteers and if you would like to help The Dream Factory, please email Avril on
