Press & Media
Harlow’s Anne Wafula-Strike MBE, British Wheelchair Paralympian made honorary member of Rotary Club of London
Publication: Your Harlow
Date: January 2026
Web Link: click here
JUST before Christmas, one of the Patrons of Essex-based Charity, The Dream Factory, Anne Wafula-Strike MBE, British Wheelchair Paralympian, was delighted to be bestowed an Honorary Membership to The Rotary Club of London.
Anne who now lives in Harlow, was born in Mihu, Kenya, and was a fit and healthy child before polio struck when she was two years old. After graduating from Moi University, Anne taught at Machakos Technical College in Kenya before meeting the man she would marry – which led her to Britain in 2000, motherhood, wheelchair racing, disability advocacy, and charity work. Anne became the first wheelchair racer from Sub-Sahara Africa to compete at the Paralympics in Athens.
Local Charity Making More Dreams Come True
The Dream Factory started January with an appeal for funds to keep the charity alive past 2025, as demand for dreams continues to grow. Despite the challenges, this remarkable Essex-based charity has continued to bring smiles, hope and unforgettable memories by granting precious dreams for children and young people between the ages of three to 25 years, with life-threatening conditions, severe disabilities and those requiring end-of-life dreams.
Publication
Absolutely Essex
Date
December 2025
The Dream Factory Raises £15,000 at Bollywood Event
Essex-based charity The Dream Factory and RGB Direct, based in Woodford and Basildon, put on their first Bollywood event at the fabulous Grand Cholan, Canary Wharf, Indian Restaurant , which overlooks the Thames.
Among the guest was The Dream Factory’s Ambassador Murad Farhat – who was a Dream recipient many years ago. He entertained guests by singing. Also in attendance was former Oliver Warren, who was granted his dream by the charity 16 years ago. The £15,000 is a lifeline to the charity, who grants dreams to children and young adults between the ages of three to 25 years, who suffer life-limiting conditions, have severe disabilities or are having end-of-life care.
Publication
Essex Life
Date
December 2025
Essex-based Charity The Dream Factory raise an amazing £15,000 at Bollywood Event
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.
Essex-based Charity The Dream Factory raise an amazing £15,000 at Bollywood Event
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.
Essex-based charity The Dream Factory’s first walking challenge raises £13,00 last weekend!
LAST weekend, The Dream Factory held their first walking challenge and raised over £13,000! The 11-mile walk through the heart of London’s football heritage took them between the three iconic football stadiums of West Ham’s London Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. The 24 walkers and the charity’s Dream Team covered 11 miles, and the challenge was a huge success.
Essex-based charity The Dream Factory’s first walking challenge raises £13,000
Essex charity, The Dream Factory, recently held its first walking challenge and raised more than £13,000.
The 11-mile walk through the heart of London’s football heritage, took them between the three iconic football stadiums of West Ham’s London Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
The 24 walkers and the charity’s Dream Team covered 11 miles, and the challenge was a huge success.
Hainault based charity urgently needs your sponsorship
Founder, Avril Mills (British Empire Medal) tells us about The Dream Factory and its impact to young lives.
For 17 years, Essex-based charity The Dream Factory has been granting wishes to children and young adults aged 3 to 265 dealing with life-threatening conditions, severe disabilities or receiving end-of-care.
Thanks to generous supporters, nearly 750 dream have come true – bringing joy, hope and unforgettable memories to families facing unimaginable challenges.
Publication
Hainault Business Park
Date
April 2025
Wish Upon A Star
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.
Fun for all the Family at Whizzing Wheels
For the very first time, a shopping centre will be transformed into a magical Whizzing Wheels Santa Skate Track as part of The Dream Factory’s Kids Helping Kids campaign.
This one-of-a-kind experience is taking place at The Exchange Ilford, High Road, Ilford on Sunday, November 24 between 5.30pm and 8pm.
The Dream Factory 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 Dream Factory, Outstanding Milestone Granting 700th Dream
THE Dream Factory 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, and this month we have hit an enormous milestone as we have granted our 700th dream!
Our 700th Dream recipient was brave 20-year-old Jack, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge. Jack’s dream was to stay at the amazing Lion Lodge at Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe, Kent and have the amazing animal experiences including the tiger feed and ranger safari.
Outstanding Milestone Granting 700th Dream
The Dream Factory 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, and this month we have hit an enormous milestone as we have granted our 700th dream!
Our 700th Dream recipient was brave 20-year-old Jack, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge.
Two Dream Factory Supporters raised over £17,500 at London Marathon
Two supporters of The Dream Factory have already raised over £17,500 for the charity after completing Sunday’s London Marathon.
Ross Ritchie crossed the finish line in 4hrs 24mins 18secs.
He said: “It was the honour of a lifetime to run for the incredible charity. I couldn’t be prouder to play a small part in granting more dreams for The Dream Factory.”
Publication
Everything Epping Forest
Date
April 2024
Lokkum Ladies Lunch 2024
The Dream Factory children’s charity held their pre-Christmas Ladies’ Lunch at Lokkum Bar & Grill in South Woodford on Thursday, 23rd November.
A wonderful total of £17,500 was raised from the event. This included very generous sponsorship donations to grant a specific dream for three-year-old Connie and her family to go to Disneyland Paris.
Publication
Absolutely Essex
Date
January 2024
Jacob, Child of Courage of 2023
Jacob, was once described as a miracle baby. He was stillborn, with asphyxia, a severe brain injury , but survived. It took doctors, 22 minutes of resuscitation to get Jacob breathing. He defied all the odds, being able to walk, after his parents were told he may never be able to walk or talk .
Publication
Pride of Essex Awards
Date
November 2023