Essex- based Charity The Dream Factory, are working with the online fund-raising platform Winnr to raise funds for The Dream Factory to help fulfil as many of the 50+ dreams they currently have requested. The first dream that will be fulfilled is that of 3-year Cleo from Enfield, who sadly has leukemia and has a very special dream of going on a trip to Disneyland. The main prize of the fundraising campaign is Lunch at The Ritz with Harry Redknapp for the winner and a guest.
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. To date, they have granted an amazing 620 dreams and currently have 50 that they are fundraising for. The Dream Factory has been created by Avril Mills BEM, Honorary Freeman of The Borough of Redbridge, Founder & Trustee of The Dream Factory, who set up the Charity in 2008, in memory of her son Oliver Mills who died of Leukemia at the age of nine.
Raising money for Cleo’s Dream as explained by her Mummy,
“Cleo was just like any normal bubbly 3-year-old when she became poorly. Out of nowhere, Cleo started to become very pale and fatigued, as well as showing to have a high temperature of around 40 that just wouldn’t shift. I took Cleo to the doctors who said that its most probably viral, however as she looked anemic, they advised the family to take her to hospital to make sure.
Within 5 hours, Great Ormond Street Hospital was involved as they suspected leukemia. The following day March 26th, 2021, my worst nightmare was confirmed that my little Cleo has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cleo then was transferred to GOSH where she began her treatment plan. It all happened so quickly and was a lot for the family to take in, as well as try to be strong for Cleo.
On the 12th of April which was Cleo’s 4th birthday she lost all her hair, and even though it broke my heart, Cleo just rocked it, and never once let it get her down. It hasn’t been easy on her, as the treatment has proven to be tough, and can still make her feel unable to get up and do normal 5-year-old activities. The past two years, the family and I have had many stays and visits in hospital, lots of special sleeps and our whole family’s life has been turned upside down. Cleo has a big love for Minnie Mouse and Disney Princesses especially Belle! We have watched the Disney films over and over on our hospital stays and she has always asked if one day she could meet them and be a real princess for the day!
It just breaks my heart as a Mother to watch Cleo go through this and I’d love to make her dream come true one day.
Please help us turn Cleo’s dream to a reality!
Love Cleo’s Mummy xxx”
Here are some other Dreams that The Dream Factory hope to fulfill with this campaign:
Katie Ward, aged 15 years, who is a full-time wheelchair user and suffers from T4 Paraplegic, which is a rare genetic disorder characterised by deformities that began before birth. Katie’s dream is to watch The Phantom of the Opera with her Mum, and Sister and enjoy a meal and overnight stay in London.
Debra Grace, aged 16 years, who suffers from Quadriplegic Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. Debra’s dream is a course of indoor skiing lessons.
Adnan Najefi, aged 9 years, suffers from Mucolipidosis Type 2. Adnan’s dream is to swim with dolphins.
Avril Mills BEM, Honorary Freeman of The Borough of Redbridge, Founder & Trustee of The Dream Factory Children’s Charity said,
“I received a lovely call from Harry Redknapp to say Jermain Defoe’s cousin Stefan, is doing a fundraiser, online and they asked Harry Redknapp to choose a charity, he said, “Please call Avril at The Dream Factory children’s charity, as I love to help them – they are a fantastic charity and I’m one of their Patrons”.
I’m so overwhelmed with the help we get from Harry Redknapp, he’s such a pro-active Patron and everything he does for The Dream Factory is from the heart, and always free of charge. We thought that Cleo’s dream was the perfect fit for the campaign, and we hope to raise enough funds from the campaign to fulfil other dreams too.
Harry has raised a lot of much needed funds for us and created awareness through TV and Radio. We have granted over 600 dreams so far, and we have an ever-growing waiting list, now over 50 on our list. We love Harry”.
Today the fund-raising campaign launches, and the prizes are:
Harry Redknapp Lunch at the Ritz (1 Winner)
Win lunch for 2 people at London’s most iconic Hotel, The Ritz
You and a guest will enjoy Lunch or Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
Harry Redknapp and friends will congratulate you before you leave for football talk and pictures.
You will receive an England Shirt signed by Harry Redknapp
Travel expenses within the UK to London and an overnight accommodation are included.
Video Shoutout from Harry Redknapp (2 Winners)
Join Jermain Defoe OBE for a Stadium Tour at either Wembley or Spurs (1 Winner)
Join Premier League and England Legend Jermain Defoe on a Stadium Tour at either Wembley or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a chance for you to ask Jermain about his most memorable moments.
Join Peter Crouch on ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ and watch him live in action (1 Winner)
A chance to join Peter Crouch on football’s most popular live podcast ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’, which has over 60 million listeners since its launch, take photos and watch him live in action.
Location: London
Date: To be confirmed
Join Fleur East on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show with James and Matt – watch her live in action (1 Winner)
A chance to join Fleur East on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show with James and Matt, take photos and watch her live in action.
Location: London
Date: To be confirmed
There are also two Corporate Packages * available:
Gold Package (Only 20 Packages available) – £5,000 donation each
What’s included:
Invitation to join Harry Redknapp for an exclusive sponsor’s lunch at The Ritz
Video Shoutout for your business by Harry Redknapp to be used on your company website and socials. Testimonial on request
Instagram story from Harry Redknapp – Thanking your business and owner
Signed framed England shirt – Signed by Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe OBE, and Peter Crouch
Gifting or product/project pitch sent to Harry Redknapp
Silver Package (Only 20 Packages available) – £3,000 donation each
What’s included:
Video Shoutout for your business by Harry Redknapp to be used on your company website and socials. Testimonial on request
Instagram story from Harry Redknapp – Thanking your business and owner
Signed framed England shirt – Signed by Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe OBE, and Peter Crouch
Gifting or product/project pitch sent to Harry Redknapp
* All Corporate Packages are +VAT and subject to availability at the time of booking.
To help grant Cleo’s dream and hopefully many more, raise much-needed funds for The Dream Factory, and be in with a chance to have lunch with Harry Redknapp, visit: https://thewinnr.com/campaigns/little-cleos-dream
