On Thursday September 18, Essex-based charity The Dream Factory and RGB Direct based in Woodford and Basildon, Essex put on their first Bollywood event at the fabulous Grand Cholan, Canary Wharf Indian Restaurant, which overlooks the Thames. One of The Dream Factory’s Ambassadors Murad Farhat, who was a Dream recipient many years ago, attended, and entertained guests by singing, and former Dream recipient Oliver Warren, who was granted his dream by the charity 16 years ago also attended. The £15,000 raised is a lifeline to the charity who grants dreams to children and young adults between the age of 3 to 25 years, who suffer from life-threatening, life-limiting conditions, have severe disabilities or are sadly having end of life care. The charity has an urgent appeal for funds at the moment, during these difficult times, as they try to stay alive past 2025.

The event was a sellout with 50 guests attending, who were treated to a fabulous three course Indian meal. The special guest of the evening was one of The Dream Factory’s Patrons, Michael “The Force” Watson MBE and the event featured dhol drums, a DJ to dance the night away, a fabulous meal, and an amazing raffle and auction – prizes kindly donated by RGB Direct, Ninja , Hardsoft Computers, Smiths Wapping, Time Clinic and Michael Watson MBE.

Avril Mills BEM, Honorary Freeman of The Borough of Redbridge, Founder & Trustee of The Dream Factory Children’s Charity said,
“£15,000 is an amazing amount to have raised at this event. A special thanks goes to Terry Tew Sound and Lighting who have been supporting The Dream Factory for the last 17 years, to The Grand Cholan for hosting the event, and to our main sponsors of the evening RGB Direct. We would like to thank everybody who attended and put their hands in their pockets to buy a raffle or auction prizes.

If you think you would like to support The Dream Factory, please support our urgent appeal to raise £60k to carry on our good work, which will help us to grant many more dreams. You can find out more at: The Dream Factory .”

To help us raise more much-needed funds, you can also visit The Dream Factory stand at this year’s Christmas Ideal Home Show at Olympia – we will be there every day from 26 – 30 November 2025 and are extremely proud to be this year’s charity partner.