OUR HISTORY

In 1928, a taxi driver named Mick Cohen, who had grown up in the Norwood Orphanage, recruited 12 drivers to organise an outing and raise money for the Home.

Three years later saw the start of a tradition. The coaches of the previous years were replaced by 40 licensed taxis decorated with Union Jacks.

Four years after WWII had ended the first official committee of the London Taxi Drivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children was formed.

For the first time, television and newspapers reported on the annual outing.

The venue was moved to the south coast of Brighton.

Growth meant that the charity could increase the number of children being helped by allowing other Homes to be involved in the outings.

After alternating the previous year’s outing destination, the Committee decided on Southend-on-Sea as a permanent location.

The LTFUC hosted a Royal World Charity Premiere film called ‘The Island at the Top of the World’.

A special trip was arranged for 45 children to go on the Orient Express.

After 60 years the LTFUC celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

The LTFUC were honoured and privileged to have Her Royal Highness Diana, Princess of Wales attend the children’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Grosvenor House.

Due to rebuilding work at Southend, the outing returned to Brighton after a break of 27 years but now with a party of well over 500.

The charity makes its largest single donation of £26,000 to St. Thomas Hospital Premature Baby Unit.

A day trip to Calais was organised for the children, courtesy of P&O European Ferries and Esso Fresh Smell Diesel who supplied the fuel for all 120 taxis.

This year saw our annual seaside outing return to Southend.

The Mad Hatter’s Christmas Party, held at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane becomes an annual event.

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of VE Day, the Fund organised a special outing for 300 disadvantaged children.

After a break of 10 years, the Taxi Safari outing was reinstated.

To celebrate the 70th Anniversary, seven taxis took part in the very prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show, one for each decade of the charity’s existence.

The LTFUC were invited to take 200 special needs and disadvantaged children in a convoy of 100 decorated taxis to a special tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The Committee of the LTFUC attended a reception held in the gardens of Clarence House.

Committee member Alan Cohen is awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

The LTFUC donated a new Children’s Sensory Room to the University College Hospital on Euston Road.

The LTFUC donated £3,000 to Kisharon, a British charity founded in 1976.

A Gala Dinner and Dance was held in the Palace of Westminster to celebrate 80 years of assisting disadvantaged children in Greater London.

The LTFUC presented an Easy-Lift Bench to Kisharon’s Day School in Temple Fortune.

The charity is given Royal Patronage from the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Fund’s Hon. Chair, Susan Angel and husband Gerald along with committee member Michael Son and wife Maxine attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Trustee Michael Son is awarded a BEM in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List.

On 15th December 2017, the Fund’s Honorary Chairman Michael Son BEM and Honorary Secretary Malcolm Shaffron attended the Motor Industry Public Affairs Association, (MIPAA) Board of Directors Annual Lunch.

The charity are rebranded by Pentagram, the world’s largest independently-owned design studio, to the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC).

Following our rebranding, Ubiquitous Taxis offered a number of LTCFC livery taxi wraps to the committee and our volunteer drivers to help raise awareness for the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children.

The LTCFC stepped in to help a food bank based in St Barnabas Church, North London.