Press & Media
Essex-based Charity The Dream Factory raise an amazing £15,000 at Bollywood Event
Publication: Your Thurrock
Date: September 2025
Web Link: click here
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
Make us your Charity of the Year
ESSEX-based Charity 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 or have severe disabilities. Like most charities, The Dream Factory are finding it harder and harder to raise much needed funds to grant more dreams and are so grateful for the continued support of companies like Moss Electrical Co. Ltd based in Dartford, Constructive Space based in East London, Lewis Mechanical and Electrical based in Maidstone and The Pink Tie Club, and others who have supported The Dream Factory this year. One of the ways that these Companies support us is by kindly making us their Charity of the Year at their Company Golf Days – a great day for the golfers and by raising money, it means The Dream Factory can grant even more wishes.
Make Us your Charity of the Year
Essex- based Charity 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 or have severe disabilities. Like most charities, The Dream Factory are finding it harder and harder to raise much needed funds to grant more dreams and are so grateful for the continued support of companies like Moss Electrical Co. Ltd based in Dartford, Constructive Space based in East London, Lewis Mechanical and Electrical based in Maidstone and The Pink Tie Club, and others who have supported The Dream Factory this year. One of the ways that these Companies support us is by kindly making us their Charity of the Year at their Company Golf Days – a great day for the golfers and by raising money, it means The Dream Factory can grant even more wishes.
Jacob Conquers Mt Snowdon
ast year he ran a mile a day for 50 days to raise £2,000 for charity.
The courageous youngster has now conquered all 3,560ft of Mount Snowdon – the highest peak in Wales – with his mum and grandad in just seven hours.
Proud parents Abbie and Laura said: “Jacob absolutely smashed it. We’re just so proud of him.
“We all made sure he was well looked-after and supported during the day, and he was just smiling and enjoying himself the whole time.