31 Dec Essex based Charity The Dream Factory reaches an outstanding milestone by granting their 500th Dream on Christmas Eve
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 and this Christmas we have hit an enormous milestone as we have granted our 500th dream!
Our 500th Dream recipient was gorgeous Keyan Mustafa from North London. Keyan who is now 6, was first diagnosed at just 18 months old with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and is currently in remission. Keyan is a huge fan of YouTuber Ryan from Ryan’s World and his dream was to be able to play with all the Ryan’s World toy collection, which is currently only exclusively available in the USA – Keyan already has the entire UK collection! Keyan’s dream was also to meet or receive a video call from Ryan himself. However, due to the current global pandemic, we knew that it would be impossible to arrange a meet and greet or video call, but wanted to grant some of young Keyan’s dream.
The Dream Factory got in touch with a friend of the charity in Florida, who very kindly went shopping all over Florida to buy the exact toys on Keyan’s dream list and then she had them shipped over to the UK. The toys were sent to the home of one of our Trustees, where 2 Volunteers wrapped them up as Christmas presents. The plan was for our Founder and Trustee Avril Mills BEM to deliver the toys dressed as Mrs Claus with 2 hard-working elves and a gorgeous display of balloons. However, due to last minute new Government COVID-19 restrictions and Tier 4 arriving on our doorstep, last minute changes had to be made very quickly to ensure Keyan still received his dream presents before Christmas. The Charity managed to fulfil this 500th dream for Keyan with the help of a special COVID secure taxi delivering everything to his doorstep. Keyan and his family were also due to go on a taxi tour to see the lights of London with spending money, but this has also had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.
Keyan’s Mum said, “You guys have been great, thank for getting all the toys for Keyan especially at this time during lockdown, you all work so well together as a team. Thank you for making all his dreams come true, Keyan was totally overwhelmed and so happy!”
Avril Mills BEM, Founder and Trustee of The Dream Factory said, “Keyan has captured all our hearts with his gorgeous smile and cheeky chappy personality. Keyan you are a true fighter and we are so privileged and honoured to have granted your dream as our 500th dream! We have helped to bring special memories and dreams to 500 families now – what an amazing milestone! Well done and thank you to everyone that has supported us since I set up The Dream Factory in memory of my darling son Oliver in 2008. We are a very small team at The Dream Factory but what an amazing Dream team I have. My Oliver would be so, so proud – thank you.”
