I would like to start my first and this 2023 Treasurer’s Report by thanking the Chairman and my fellow Committee Members for their support during my first year as LTCFC Treasurer. I would also like to express my thanks to Gerry Dunn MBE, the charity’s previous Treasurer of 21 years for his ongoing assistance and support.
The past year has seen the charity return to a more stabilised operating environment, in both our fundraising activity and our ability to organise our traditional events for the disadvantaged children that the charity supports. Unfortunately, we were unable to run our traditional Southend Summer Outing, although we were able to organise a Summer Outing to the exciting new venue of Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne. On the day, 60 volunteer taxi drivers took over 200 children and their helpers on a fun filled day at this fabulous attraction. I would like to thank Paradise Wildlife Park for accommodating us on this initial visit. In January 2024 we held our Annual Mad Hatter’s Christmas Party for disadvantaged children at the JW Marriot Grosvenor House in London. On the day over 550 children enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of endless entertainment, before leaving with a LTCFC charity gift bag filled with toys and confectionary.
We have also delivered a number of Sailing Activity Days at the Docklands Sailing Centre. During these activity events, children from local schools within the Docklands area enjoyed basic kayaking and paddle-boarding and undertook other sailing skills/activities.
In 2023 we also managed to run two fundraising events, these being our Annual Burlington Arcade Collection Event in December 2023 and a Pub Quiz Night at the Red Lion Pub in Crown Passage, London, SW1. I would like to thank both these organisations for allowing us the opportunity to fundraise at their locations and hopefully we will return to both in 2024.
During 2023 we have also managed to support individual Appeals to the cost of circa £8000, funding bespoke items of specialised equipment for some of the disadvantaged children we support. This included a specialist bespoke tricycle for a young child, a therapeutic wheelchair for the Super Sid Appeal and the supply and installation of 4 iPad tech-tablets and outdoor garden communications boards for Fryern Primary School in Northwest London.
I would like to thank all the individuals, families and organisations who have raised money on our behalf and made website, just-giving, much-loved, text message, cheque, bank, and cash donations during 2023. Your generous donations are very much appreciated, and we thank you for your continued support of our charity. I would like to thank The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers and The Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund who have supported us for many years, along with thanks to Lodges of the London Freemasons, The Julia & Hans Rausing Trust, The Harapan Trust, Pearly Kings & Queens of Finsbury, The Guild of Professional Toastmasters, Ink Recruitment, Wenzel’s, DCL Insurance Brokers and Cabbie Candles for all their generous donations in 2023.
Finally, I would like to thank all our volunteer taxi drivers and supporters for their continued efforts during 2023 and I look forward to another successful year for the LTCFC in 2024.
Colin Greaves
LTCFC Honorary Treasurer
c.greaves@ltcfc.org.uk