The Dream Factory

Website Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:58:00 +0000

We have just updated the 2010 Events Page with our upcoming fund raising events and also added James' and Dominic's Dreams to the Oh, I Wish I could page.

Souled Out Show Band

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:22:00 +0000

Our good friends the Souled Out Show Band are headlining at Broxbourne Civic Hall on Friday 19^th February. It’s sure to be a great night and The Dream Factory will be a major beneficiary. Call John on 07958 452065 for more details and see the official poster here.

From Promotions

The Dream Factory Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:26:00 +0000

Once again The Dream Factory held a Christmas Party at The Mall, Ilford. All of the young people that we have met during the year, together with their brothers and sisters were invited and despite some pretty atrocious weather a lot of them were able to come along and join in the fun.

Massive thanks to the staff and management at The Mall who have been incredibly supportive all year long. Here are some photos of people having a great time.

From Dream Factory Christmas Party 2009

Great Fundraising News

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:13:00 +0000

In a fantastic flurry of festive fundraising all sorts of different people donated their time, energy and often, their money, to help The Dream Factory over the Christmas period.

At OK magazine, their celebrity studded staff party was in support of The Dream Factory. Everybody had a great time and donated an absolute mountain of children’s toys to The Dream Factory. See the pictures: OK Magazine

The lovely people at Marks & Spencer in Epping allowed us to pack their shoppers’ bags in return for a donation to The Dream Factory. Avril was supported by young people from local schools who gave up their time to help. Read what the local paper said Epping Forest News and see some photos here

IN Magazine’s Monte Carlo Ball was a glittering occasion featuring great bands and a charity Casino. We were delighted with the opportunity to attend, help out and raise funds for The Dream Factory. Here’s the Dream Team all dressed up for the ball Monte Carlo TDF Team

And finally our friends at Vantis (www.vantisplc.com) in Loughton once again donated the money that they would have spent on Christmas Cards to local charities. The Dream Factory were very proud to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries. Here’s a photo Vantis Xmas of the presentation of their donation.

A NEW PATRON FOR THE DREAM FACTORY

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:02:00 +0000

We are very proud to announce that Colin McMillan has agreed to become a Patron of The Dream Factory.

Colin, who was known as 'Sweet C' as a professional boxer, become a two time British Featherweight champion - winning a Lonsdale belt in record time - Commonwealth featherweight champion in 1991, and World featherweight boxing champion in 1992.

In his first defence, disaster struck when a dislocated shoulder injury saw him lose his title and plague the rest of his fighting years. After regaining and losing the British Featherweight title in 1997, Colin officially announced his retirement.

From Patrons

After becoming promotions manager for Legends nightclub in Barking, Colin went on to become advisor to Olympic Super Heavyweight Champion, Audley Harrison, and manage a number of boxing prospects.

Today, Colin divides his time between running his own boxing agency, property developing, commentary, and event organizing

MORE DREAMS COME TRUE

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:56:00 +0000

You can read about how The Dream Factory has made Dreams come true for James, Dominic and Grace over the last few weeks on the “Oh I Wish..” page and for a complete list of the Dreams we have fulfilled and those we are working on then go to Dream List

If you are able to help us with any of those that we’re working on we really would like to hear from you. Please call Avril 0n 020 8501 1234 or email her at avril.mills@yourdreamfactory.org

STOP PRESS!!!
News just in that Murad not only went to see the show “Thriller” but ended up on the stage! The full story and (I hope) photos as soon as we get them.

New Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Dream Factory) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:40:00 +0000

You can read about how the Dream Factory has made more dreams come true for Nathan, Jamal and Freddie recently on the I Wish Page.

Intrepid Trekkers

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Well they made it!

After months of training, Melanie, Hayley, Mary, Linda and Avril trekked from the Dead Sea to the famous Rose City of Petra, in aid of The Dream Factory.

Although they had all done their best to prepare it was impossible to be ready for the incredibly rocky terrain and temperatures exceeding 42C. So they all did wonderfully well in completing the challenge.

And, they enjoyed it. I’m told that sleeping under the stars and wandering around the Rose City made up for an absence of showers and hair dryers!

And best of all, between them they have already raised more than £25,000 for The Dream Factory.

Incredibly well done.

As you can imagine there are hundreds of photos. Here is one of the girls looking hot and sweaty, but suitably proud, at Petra.

From Trek Jordan

To see a lot more click here

Finally, the girls would like to thank all of their friends and family who supported them on this challenge, not only with generous sponsorship but also with their interest and encouragement.

We at The Dream Factory would like to add our thanks also.

More Dreams Than Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:28:00 +0000

As word spreads about The Dream Factory we are being asked by an increasing number of unfortunate young people to help their Dreams come true.

As you can see from our latest Dream List we have now reached more than 50 Dreams that have either been fulfilled or we are actively trying to provide.

The list has been turned around so that the most recent ones are at the top. Please get in touch with us if you can help with any of those that we are working on.

Young Fundraiser of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:07:00 +0000

We have written before about James Ollerenshaw. James’ chronic illness means that he has to regularly go without food and take some really foul medicine for weeks at a time.

Well earlier this year he decided that the only way to make this bearable was to get sponsored for doing it so that at least somebody else would benefit from his hardship. James chose The Dream Factory as the charity he would support and raised nearly £2000!

James’ efforts inspired former Redbridge Mayor, Lorraine Sladden to inaugurate on our behalf an annual Young Fundraiser of the Year Award of which James was the worthy first recipient.

Thanks James, you’re a great example to us all.

Here is a photo of James receiving his award from Lorraine and Avril.

The Dreams we are working on and those fulfilled

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:14:00 +0000

51 Joe Wants A Shopping Trip To Toys R Us Or Smyth’s Toy Store
50 James O Wants To Be A Radio Dj For An Hour And A Bass Guitar
49 James Wants A Shopping Trip To The Early Learning Centre
48 Melik Wants Garden Play Equipment
47 Rebecca Wants Outside Sensory Garden
46 Grace Wants To Go To Eurodisney
45 Kristy Wants To See Beyonce Or See Where Eastenders Is Made
44 Freddie Wanted To Go Shopping In The Disney Store
43 Nathan Wanted Transformer Toys And A Dvd Player
42 Uzazo Wants Communication Toys And Equipment
41 Jamal Wanted A Nintendo Ds And Games
40 Alan Wanted A Nintendo Ds And Games
39 Yaren Wanted A Computer And Printer
38 Joel Wants To See Dancing On Ice
37 Laura Wants To Go For A Weekend In Eurodisney
36 Stacey Wants To Meet Shayne Ward
35 Rebecca Wanted To Feed And Stroke Some Lion Cubs
34 Anthony Wanted To Meet Lewis Hamilton
33 Murad Wants To See The Show “Thriller”
32 Christopher Wanted To Meet Patsy Palmer
31 Sriya Wants To Go To Euro Disney
30 Dominic Wants To Go To Euro Disney At Xmas
29 Cameron Wanted Some Portable Sensory Equiptment
28 Martyna Wanted A Very Special Camera
27 Emma Wanted To Travel In A Limousine For Tea At The Ritz With Her Family
26 Mason Wanted A Log Cabin For His Garden For His Own Space
25 Oliver Wanted An Xbox Elite And Games
24 Ayesha Wanted A Massive Television For Her Room
23 Benjamin Wanted To Have 2 Budgies And A Playstation 3 And A Tv Of His Own
22 Roy Wanted To Go With His Family To Butlins
21 Bailey Wanted A Special Bratz Birthday Party A Tv And Dvd
20 Reece Wanted Meet The Arsenal Team And Watch Them Train & See A Future Match
19 Jess Wanted To Meet Her Favourite Actor On A Film Set
18 Isaac Wanted A Laptop Computer/And Printer /A Play Station 3 And Games
17 Gizem Wanted The Latest I Pod
16 Pedro Wanted To Go To Euro Disney
15 Alan Wanted A Pc Scanner And Printer
14 Isaac Wanted To Go In A Helicopter And Fly Around London
13 George Wanted To Meet Jeremy Clarkson And Visit Top Gear
12 Grace Wanted To Meet Jacqueline Wilson The Childrens Author
11 Francez Wanted To Go To Euro Disney For A Holiday
10 Joshua Wanted To See Sharks. He Went To The London Aquarium
9 Charlie Wanted A Nintendo Wii And Games
8 Alexander Wanted To Go To Butlins For A Holiday
7 Gary Wanted A Laptop Computer
6 Elaine Wanted A Laptop Computer
5 Isabella Wanted A Shetland Pony
4 Dottie Wanted A Trip On The London Eye
3 Jack Wanted To Meet The West Ham Team And Be A Mascot
2 Billy Wanted A Winnie The Pooh Tea Party
1 Babooka Wanted A Lap Top Computer

Anthony meets a World Champion!

noreply@blogger.com (Dream Factory) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:41:00 +0000

Both 17 year old Anthony and his brother Christopher (read about his Dream below) suffer from Duchenne muscular dystrophy which confines them to wheelchairs. Nevertheless Anthony is a motor racing fan and, in particular, a huge supporter of World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

It's fair to say that when we heard about Anthony’s Wish we were not confident! Interrupting a World Champion’s preparations in the middle of the season looked incredibly unlikely.

We hadn’t reckoned on the tremendous support that we would get from the wonderful people at McLaren and the generosity of Lewis himself. Not only were they pleased to invite Anthony but they extended an equally warm welcome to his whole family!

It was an amazing gesture and we are incredibly grateful for everything they did.
To see some pictures of Anthony with Lewis Hamilton click here and you can also see an article about this on Lewis’ own website at: http://www.lewishamilton.com/charity/2009/09/thedreamfactory09

Christopher gets a visit from Patsy

noreply@blogger.com (Dream Factory) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:37:00 +0000

Christopher is a huge fan of Eastenders and especially of Bianca who is played by Patsy Palmer. He really did want the chance to meet her.

Now we thought that this might be a bit easier to organise given that Patsy is Patron of The Dream Factory and has been absolutely brilliant in supporting us. But again, a busy actress with a busy schedule it was difficult to get everything together.

So imagine our delight when Patsy phoned to say “Look, why don’t I go around to their house and meet Christopher?” And, sure enough, that’s exactly what she did.

Christopher’s Dream came true and, being the perfect gentleman, he was able to present Patsy with some chocolates and a nice bunch of flowers.

Massive thanks to Patsy. Here are some great photos of Patsy with Christopher.

Kings and Queens

noreply@blogger.com (Dream Factory) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:13:00 +0000

The Dream Factory has friends in high places! And with thanks to Patrons, Doreen and Larry Golding, the Pearly King and Queen of Old Kent Road we were able to put in an appearance and do some fund raising at their Harvest Festival gathering at the Guild Hall at the end of September. The weather was great and the occasion was much enjoyed by everybody. Click here to see us mixing with royalty.

From Kings and Queens

A new Patron for The Dream Factory

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:08:00 +0000

We are delighted to announce that Lord Raj Sharma has agreed to become a Patron of The Dream Factory.

We very much welcome his support. Read more about him and our other Patrons

Walking for The Dream Factory

noreply@blogger.com (Dream Factory) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:04:00 +0000

Our friends at The Ilford Mall organised a sponsored walk in aid of The Dream Factory. However, not only were the good people expected to do the walk, they were also encouraged to wear fancy dress!

Well, it raised a substantial amount of money and created some great photos!

Thanks to all those who took part.

From The Ilford Mall Sponsored Walk

Latest Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:53:00 +0000

BABOOKA WANTED                A LAP TOP COMPUTER
BILLY WANTED                     A WINNIE THE POOH TEA PARTY
JACK WANTED                      TO MEET THE WEST HAM TEAM AND BE A MASCOT
DOTTIE WANTED                     A TRIP ON THE LONDON EYE
ISABELLA WANTED              A SHETLAND PONY
ELAINE WANTED                   A LAPTOP COMPUTER
GARY WANTED                    A LAPTOP COMPUTER
ALEXANDER WANTED                TO GO TO BUTLINS FOR A HOLIDAY
CHARLIE WANTED                   A NINTENDO WII AND GAMES
JOSHUA WANTED                TO SEE SHARKS HE WENT TO THE LONDON AQUARIUM
FRANCEZ WANTED                   TO GO TO EURO DISNEY FOR A HOLIDAY
GRACE WANTED                 TO MEET JACQUELINE WILSON THE CHILDRENS AUTHOR
GEORGE   WANTED                TO MEET JEREMY CLARKSON AND VISIT TOP GEAR
ISAAC WANTED                   TO GO IN A HELICOPTER AND FLY AROUND LONDON
ALAN WANTED                       A PC SCANNER AND PRINTER
PEDRO WANTED                   TO GO TO EURO DISNEY
GIZEM WANTED                 THE LATEST I POD
ISSAC WANTED                  A LAPTOP COMPUTER/AND PRINTER /A PLAY STATION 3 AND GAMES
JESS WANTED                    TO MEET HER FAVOURITE ACTOR ON A FILM SET
REECE WANTED                     MEET THE ARSENAL TEAM AND WATCH THEM TRAIN
BAILEY WANTED                 A SPECIAL BRATZ BIRTHDAY PARTY A TV AND DVD
ROY   WANTED                     TO GO WITH HIS FAMILY TO BUTLINS
BENJAMIN WANTED                 TO HAVE 2 BUDGIES AND A PLAYSTATION 3 AND A TV OF HIS OWN
AYESHA WANTED                 A MASSIVE TELEVISION FOR HER ROOM
OLIVER WANTED                    AN XBOX ELITE AND GAMES
MASON WANTED                    A LOG CABIN FOR HIS GARDEN FOR HIS OWN SPACE
EMMA WANTED                    TO TRAVEL IN A LIMOUSINE FOR TEA AT THE RITZ WITH HER FAMILY
MARTYNA WANTED                  A VERY SPECIAL CAMERA
CAMERON WANTED               SOME PORTABLE SENSORY EQUIPTMENT
DOMINIC WANTS                    TO GO TO LAPLAND AND MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS
SRIYA WANTS                      TO GO TO EURO DISNEY
CHRISTOPHER WANTED      TO MEET PATSY PALMER
MURAD WANTS                     TO MEET THE CAST OF EASTENDERS
ANTHONY WANTED                 TO MEET LEWIS HAMILTON
STACEY WANTS                     TO MEET SHAYNE WARD
LAURA WANTS                  TO GO FOR A WEEKEND IN FLAMINGO PARK
JOEL WANTS                     TO SEE DANCING ON ICE OR X-FACTOR
YAREN WANTS                    A COMPUTER AND PRINTER
ALAN WANTS                        TO HAVE A RIDE ON THE LONDON EYE
JAMAL WANTS                  A NINTENDO DS

Ben

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:45:00 +0000

Young Ben would have been just 9 years old in September. 18 months ago he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He was always brave and open about his illness and knew and accepted that he was “going to meet Jesus soon”. He shared everything with his brother and sister. The Dream Factory discovered that he Wished for a TV and Playstation which he could play with his family. Just a few weeks ago The Dream Factory presented these to him with an extra surprise of a pair of budgies that we also knew he wanted. He was absolutely delighted and loved them immediately.

Despite being full of beans when we met him, Ben’s condition deteriorated suddenly last week and he died last Thursday. Our thoughts are with his family. Here is a wonderful photo of Ben with one of the budgies.

From Album

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:08:00 +0000

The Dream factory are getting more and more requests from very sick young people for a Dream to brighten up their day. Here is an up to date Dream List.

To see more about some of these Dreams then click the Oh I Wish I could.... tab above.

Latest Dreams List

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:05:00 +0000

THE DREAMS WE HAVE FULFILLED

AND THE DREAMS WE ARE WORKING ON

BABOOKA WANTED	A LAP TOP COMPUTER
BILLY WANTED	A WINNIE THE POOH TEA PARTY
JACK WANTED	TO MEET THE WEST HAM TEAM AND BE A MASCOT
DOTTIE WANTED	A TRIP ON THE LONDON EYE
ISABELLA WANTED	A SHETLAND PONY
ELAINE WANTED	A LAPTOP COMPUTER
GARY WANTED	A LAPTOP COMPUTER
ALEXANDER WANTED	TO GO TO BUTLINS FOR A HOLIDAY
CHARLIE WANTED	A NINTENDO WII AND GAMES
JOSHUA WANTED	TO SEE SHARKS. HE WENT TO THE LONDON AQUARIUM
FRANCEZ WANTED	TO GO TO EURO DISNEY FOR A HOLIDAY
GRACE WANTED	TO MEET JACQUELINE WILSON THE CHILDRENS AUTHOR
GEORGE WANTED	TO MEET JEREMY CLARKSON AND VISIT TOP GEAR
ISAAC WANTED	TO GO IN A HELICOPTER AND FLY AROUND LONDON
ALAN WANTED	A PC SCANNER AND PRINTER
PEDRO WANTED	TO GO TO EURO DISNEY
GIZEM WANTED	THE LATEST IPOD
ISSAC WANTED	A LAPTOP COMPUTER/AND PRINTER /A PLAY STATION 3 AND GAMES
JESS WANTED	TO MEET HER FAVOURITE ACTOR ON A FILM SET
REECE WANTED	MEET THE ARSENAL TEAM AND WATCH THEM TRAIN
BAILEY WANTED	A SPECIAL BRATZ BIRTHDAY PARTY A TV AND DVD
ROY WANTED	TO GO WITH HIS FAMILY TO BUTLINS
DOMINIC WANTS	TO GO TO LAPLAND AND MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS
SRIYA WANTS	TO GO TO EURO DISNEY
CHRISTOPHER WANTS	TO MEET PATSY PALMER
ANTHONY WANTS	TO MEET LEWIS HAMILTON OR ANOTHER FORMULA 1 DRIVER
MURAD WANTS	TO MEET THE CAST OF EASTENDERS
BENJAMIN WANTED	TO HAVE 2 BUDGIES AND A PLAYSTATION 3 AND A TV OF HIS OWN
AYESHA WANTED	A MASSIVE TELEVISION FOR HER ROOM
STACEY	WANTS TO MEET SHAYNE WARD
LAURA WANTS	TO GO FOR A WEEKEND IN FLAMINGO PARK
OLIVER WANTED	AN XBOX ELITE AND GAMES
MASON WANTED	A LOG CABIN FOR HIS GARDEN FOR HIS OWN SPACE
EMMA WANTED	TO TRAVEL IN A LIMOUSINE FOR TEA AT THE RITZ WITH HER FAMILY
MARTYNA WANTS	A NICE CAMERA
REBECCA WANTED	TO STROKE A LION CUB
CAMERON WANTS	SENSORY EQUIPMENT

The Dream Factory in the High Street

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Our good friends at Clinton Cards have been supporters of The Dream Factory since we first started but now have gone a step further.

Starting on Monday 22nd June there is a special Dream Factory Promotion going on in more than 60 of their stores in and around London. See the list of shops here.

All of these stores carry Dream Factory promotional literature that will enable people to make donations to The Dream Factory and also to find out how they or someone they know could be granted a Wish.

And, in addition to that, Clinton Cards are going to make a generous donation to The Dream Factory for every card they sell that has as age on it up to 17!!

So, if you go to Clinton Cards for your young friend or relative’s card then not only will you get a great choice but you’ll also be helping us help some very deserving young people.

Huge thanks to everybody at Clinton Cards.

Lots More Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:24:00 +0000

As word spreads about The Dream Factory we’re pleased to receive ever more requests to help some really ill young people.

We have now granted about 20 Dreams and there must be another 10 or twelve either under consideration or being planned.

Please look at the Latest Dream List to see for yourself how we have helped to brighten up some young lives.

And, if you can help with any of those that we are working on (they’re in red towards the bottom of the page) then please call Avril on 020 8501 1234.

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:50:00 +0000

We are sorry to say that we have been obliged to postpone the Caribbean Summer Ball that we had planned to hold in June.

After the success of last November’s Winter Wonderland Xmas Ball we were anxious to keep the ball (sorry!) rolling and to follow up with a Summer event. However, whilst a fair number of sponsors and friends were keen to support the event it became clear that, due to the current difficult economic situation, it was going to impossible to ensure that we could attract a sufficient number of people to make the event both enjoyable and financially viable.

Hopefully things will improve and we can get back on track during 2010.

We are planning to hold a number of smaller events during the summer so please refer to our Events page for the latest news.

You can see the complete list of the Dreams that we have fulfilled and some of those that we are working on by going here.

How about this for thinking of other people?

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:16:00 +0000

14 year old James Ollerenshaw is chronically ill. In order to try and get to the bottom of his sickness he cannot eat anything at all during April. He is only allowed to drink a really foul tasting amino-acid formulae gunge!

James was finding it really difficult so he has decided that raising money for The Dream Factory would help him stay focused. He has already raised more than £650!

If you would like to encourage James, applaud his kindness AND support The Dream Factory you can make a donation to: www.justgiving.com/jamesollerenshaw

Fantastic stuff James, we hope it works for you.

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:04:00 +0000

We're really sorry to announce that Charlie Boyraz who we granted a Dream to a few months ago has died. Charlie who suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia died at the beginning of March aged 17. Our sympathy goes to his sister Pinar (who he is pictured with here) and to his whole family.