Press & Media
Avril at opening of new RGB shop
The Digwa family are valued supporters of The Dream Factory. Avril Mills BEM attended the opening of their new shop, RGB Direct in Woodford, Essex.
Jason Digwa spoke to West Essex Life Magazine about RGB Direct.
Publication
West Essex Life Magazine
Date
January 2022
Plea for Murad
The mum of a young man in need of his second kidney transplant has made an appeal for potential donors to come forward.
Murad Shaikh, 23, was born with kidney failure and a rare blood condition, and has received complex treatment since birth.
His mother, Gowhar Shaikh, said: “He was given 48 hours to live when he was born – he was on medication and had to go to hospital.
“He got to nine and then he was put on call for a [kidney] transplant.
“Two days later, we got a call that they had a kidney for him – it was a kidney of a 45-year-old cadaveric person.”
Six Year Old Joined by Olympic Athlete Christine
A six-year-old boy from Hatfield Peverel who was told he would never walk again has been joined on his running challenge by an Olympic hero.
Jacob Tomkins is currently running one mile a day over the course of 50 days to raise money for charity The Dream Factory. He was joined on one of the days by former Olympic, World and Commonwealth 400 metres champion Christine Ohuruogu. It represents a miraculous turn-a-round for Jacob, who was resuscitated for 22 minutes when he was first born. The ordeal left him with a brain injury and his parents were told that if he survived he would never be able to walk. But Jacob has amazed everyone with his progress.
Jacob Running a Mile A Day For 50 Days
Six-year-old Jacob is raising money for The Dream Factory, with a little help from Christine Ohuruogu
Jacob Tompkins, 6, from Hatfield Peverel, near Chelmsford, Essex has been an ambassador for the charity since 2019. Having had a difficult start to his life, young Jacob was left with a brain injury after a traumatic birth.
Chelmsford boy teams up with Olympian
Jacob Tompkins, 6, from Hatfield Peverel, near Chelmsford, Essex has been an ambassador for the charity since 2019. Having had a difficult start to his life, young Jacob was left with a brain injury after a traumatic birth.
Despite being told by the doctors that he would never walk, Jacob has already taken part in a sponsored bike ride for the charity, and is currently running a mile a day for 50 days, to raise money as part of the Kids helping Kids campaign.
Jacob, said: “Raising money for the charity means more than cuddles.”
A Star-Studded Festive Lunch
The Dream Factory knows how to host spectacular events and this charity Christmas lunch was definitely one to add to the list.
Hosted at the stylish Turkish restaurant Lokkum Bar and Grill in South Woodford, more than 81 guests got to enjoy an amazing afternoon of delicious food, music by Joiese Alexander, a Dolly Parton tribute, raffle and an auction. Also, a variety of Patrons attended the event including two former world boxng champions, Michael Watson MBE and Colin Mcmillan BEM, Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike and Olympic gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu MBE.
Publication
West Essex Life
Date
January 2022
Jane Meader
Jane has worked with The Dream Factory for more than eight years. She also gives up her time as a volunteer dream maker and what a phenomenal job she does too.
Publication
West Essex Life
Date
January 2022
Jacob Runs with Olympic Champion
A six-year-old boy whose parents were told he would never walk has completed a run with an Olympic track and field star.
Jacob Tompkins, from Hatfield Peveral in Essex, is running a mile a day for 50 days for charity and said he was glad to have some company.
He said his run was inspired by seeing reports of other youngsters raising money.
Jacob 50 Mile Run Challenge
A six-year-old boy from Essex who suffered a brain injury so severe that his parents were told he would never walk is running 50 miles for charity.
Jacob Tompkins from Hatfield Peverel near Chelmsford was inspired to take on the epic challenge after watching the Pride of Britain Awards on TV.
Mega Christmas Dream Draw Launched
Founder Avril Mills BEM set up The Dream Factory in 2008 in memory of her son Oliver, who died from leukemia aged nine. She said: “Nothing beats the smile on a child’s face when they receive a dream. Your help is vital and will allow us to continue granting dreams, making everlasting memories this Christmas.”
£12,267 Raised for Essex-based Charity The Dream Factory
Eleven brave Wing Walkers raise an amazing £12,267
ELEVEN brave individuals flew like superheroes on exhilarating charity Skymax Wing Walks to help grant the dreams of children with life limiting/threatening conditions or severe disabilities. The final grand total for the two days of Wing Walking in June and September was an amazing £12,267!
Volunteer For The Dream Factory
Looking to try something new ? How about volunteering?
Your role has a volunteer is not just important to your community but also provides satisfaction and a healthy boost to your self-confidence. Across Essex, there are a variety of charities looking for extra hands.
Publication
West Essex Life MagazineV
Date
October 2021
Get to know Avril Mills – Founder of The Dream Factory
Q For reader who may not know The Dream Factory, what do they do ?
A I set up The Dream Factory children’s charity in memory of my son Oliver who died at the age of nine on 14th September 1999 from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia . We grant dreams for children and young people from the ages of three to 25 with life-limiting, life-threatening, and severe disabilities. The aim to give them a very special memory, or help them to get through very tough times in hospital.
Publication
Absolutely Essex
Date
October 2021
Hollie’s Perfect Princess Party
Granting the wishes of poorly youngsters is what The Dream Factory does so when word got that ten-year-old Hollie, who had recently undergone a ten-hour operation to remove a brain tumour, longed for a special ‘Princess Party’ to cheer herself up, well the charity immediately swung into action. Thanks to the incredible generosity of local people and businesses.
Publication
West Essex Life Magazine
Date
October 2021
