Essex-based Charity The Dream Factory is welcoming the exciting news of not one but two great achievements!
The Dream Factory this week announced that their Founder and Trustee Avril Mills BEM has been awarded The Honour of The Freedom of The Borough of Redbridge in recognition of the fantastic hard work and success she has shown with the Charity.
Avril founded The Dream Factory in 2008, 13 years ago, in memory of her son Oliver who died at the tender age of 9 from Leukaemia. Avril and The Dream Factory have granted over 500 dreams in Redbridge and beyond, to children and young adults aged between 3 and 25 years who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and/or severe disabilities. In fact, the team at The Dream Factory are bursting with pride and want to also say congratulations to their amazing Ambassador Isaac Harvey, who also received this award.
The charity have also announced a new Patron, Michael Watson MBE, British former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1991. He held the Commonwealth Middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and challenged three times for a world title between 1990 and 1991. Michael joins fellow boxing champion Colin McMillan BEM on The Dream Factory’s Board of Patrons.
Michael Watson MBE said: “It is a privilege to be a Patron of The Dream Factory. I look forward to inspiring the children. The children are our hope for the future. I know how they feel as I am in the same situation as the children. My message to the children is ‘Never give up – Believe in yourself. You all are CHAMPIONS LIKE ME!’”
The Charity have no Government funding and rely totally on their supporters and donations; even their offices are provided free of charge to help reduce costs. They only have a few part-time staff working alongside Avril Mills BEM, in addition to over twenty volunteers.
Avril Mills, Founder and Trustee of The Dream Factory said: “If you would like to support The Dream Factory, you can help by way of donation, volunteering or becoming a regular donor. You can sponsor or organise a fundraising event or even make us your Charity of the Year. Any support is very gratefully appreciated, so that we can continue to grant the dreams of deserving children and young adults.”
The Dream Factory are planning many exciting events, to help make 2021 a year to remember, for all the right reasons. Further details are available on the website: https://www.yourdreamfactory.org/events
