The professionalism and community spirit that defines London’s black cab trade was on full display on Wednesday 9th July as 65 licensed taxi drivers coordinated seamlessly to transport over 200 special needs children and their families to Hertfordshire Zoo for the LTCFC’s annual outing.
The drivers, who had all given up their earning time to volunteer, converged at the ASDA car park on the Isle of Dogs at 7am and were treated to breakfast before they started to decorate their taxis. Shortly after this the children and carers arrived and were allocated to each taxi.
Winners of the Best Decorated Taxi competition were Michael Boland (taxi no 4) who won 1st place, Stefan Fitt (taxi no 33) who came 2nd, and John Gilmore (taxi no 5) in 3rd place.
Driver liaison John, who coordinates the volunteer network, said: “The response from our drivers is always incredible. These are busy professionals who could be earning, but they choose to give their time because they understand the difference we make to these families.”
We were fortunate this year to have some motorcycle outriders escort us on our journey along with our regular support from the AA and an ambulance from Location Medical Services and in no time at all we arrived at Hertfordshire Zoo.
As well as lunch, the children and adults were treated throughout the day to drinks, ice cream and a ride on the train. The children had a thoroughly enjoyable day out at the zoo not only seeing all the live animals residing there, but also the animatronic Dinosaurs show-cased in their own prehistoric world. At the end of the day as we left the zoo, the children received a goodie bag and a Louie Taxi toy.
One of the many thank you messages received:
Dear Tony, Ian & The London Taxi Driver Charity,
Wow another academic year is nearly over for us and we want to say a huge thank you for giving us AGAIN this year, wonderful experiences for our children and families. We are so grateful for the huge smiles and heartwarming feedback from our children, parents/carers, and staff after every event. These experiences you provide create lifelong memories for us all. We are extremely fortunate to have this amazing partnership with you. Please ensure that everyone who makes these experiences possible, know how truly grateful we are to each and every one of you for making it all happen. On behalf of our children, staff, and families – Thank you.
Jacqui & Karen – Cubitt Town Primary School
“This is what our trade is really about,” our Chairman Tony commented, “Sixty-five professional drivers, all volunteers, working together like clockwork to bring joy to children who need it most. It’s the kind of coordination that only comes from decades of experience on London’s streets.”
LTCFC extends grateful thanks to The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers for sponsoring the outing, Mary and her team of staff at Asda, DCL Insurance Brokers, Location Medical Services, the AA, Sean and Mirna from London Taxi Radio, Josh Woolnough and his biker friends who made up the LTCFC Outriders, Ears PLC for the radios, Stanway Engineering of Chingford for their generous sponsorship of the Best Decorated Taxi competition, and the brilliant staff at Hertfordshire Zoo for their continued support in making these events possible.
To donate to the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children click the Donate button below or alternatively text TAXI £5, £10 or £20 to 70085