It has been a great pleasure these past three years serving the LTFUC as the Honorary Chairman.
Working alongside my fellow trustees in these challenging times, I am pleased to say we have managed with the help and generosity of the cab trade, their families and the public to continue our work providing outings, entertainment and special needs equipment and supporting London’s underprivileged children. The amount of preparation and organisation to make these events happen is quite incredible and it would not be possible without the volunteers that put in their time, effort and heartfelt enthusiasm.
We started 2016 with our legendary ‘Mad Hatter’s’ tea party at the Grosvenor House and I would particularly like to thank the hotel for their ongoing support. Up to 650 children, along with their family or carers, enjoy this annual party where children can get up close and personal with their favourite TV and film characters, be entertained by a fantastic variety of acts and dance until its time to go through the Christmas toy grotto picking up a parting gift.
May saw us reintroducing the Spring outing and we returned once more to Woburn Safari Park. The children were so happy and inquisitive of the day ahead and the highlight seemed to be driving through the Safari enclosure, the excitement on their faces at seeing lions, tigers and bears – well – oh my!!!
July and it was time for the annual Summer outing, a fantastic day for the children by the sea at Southend and probably the event our charity is mostly closely associated with. No matter how many years I have taken part in this children’s outing, it never fails to touch me how people remember and come out to cheer and wave our taxi convoy on its way. Whatever our route over the years, we see people waving from near and far and this makes the children feel so special. It is always an action packed fun day.
In 2018 we shall be celebrating the 90th year of our charity and we are proud to be the oldest of the London Taxi charities… no jokes about the age of the committee members please! We are planning some celebrations throughout 2018 and shall be releasing details as we go into 2017. We hope to see as many of you as possible along to celebrate our heritage and plans for the future.
On behalf of all the trustees I would like to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to David Lessman and his family. David has stepped down after serving the charity for over 32 years. His contribution has been great over the many years and his knowledge and experience of the LTFUC has been a fantastic support to me in my three years as Hon. Chairman. David we shall miss you and we wish you and your family all the very best for the future.
By the time you read this my three years as Hon. Chairman will be up and I shall have already relinquished the reigns of the chairmanship into the capable hands of Michael Son BEM, an experienced and longstanding member of the committee. I wish him well and offer him the support of the trustees and myself so we can continue our work, which of course is always focused on London’s less fortunate children.
Thank you one and all for your support of the charity in whatever capacity, your efforts are always appreciated. All that remains is for me to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2017.
SIM YIANNIKARIS
Hon. Chairman