News & Updates

Photo credit: Daan Van Oort Veterans joined thousands of people in the Netherlands this weekend to remember the men who fought and died during Operation Market Garden, 82 years after the battle began. The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans took a group of veterans, including eight who served during WWII, to the Netherlands for the annual commemorations, including the mass parachute drop at Ginkel Heath on Saturday 19 September, which was attended by more than 60,000 people, a

WWII veterans with His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Chris Rampling CMG MBE Ten WWII veterans travelled to the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans last week, receiving a wonderful welcome and VIP treatment at the finish of the world-famous Wandeltocht, the largest walking event in the world. Arriving on the overnight ferry from Harwich, the itinerary began on Friday 4 September with a very special breakfast at the British Ambassador's Residence

Five WWII veterans who are supported by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans enjoyed a very special evening on 1 September, when they attended the European premiere of Pressure, the new film telling the extraordinary story behind the weather decisions that shaped D-Day. Colin Bell, Mervyn Kersh, Marie Scott, Ruth Barnwell and Dorothea Barron were invited to the premiere, to ensure that veterans who had lived through the events depicted in the film had the opportunity to att

Three WWII veterans took to the skies in Spitfires on Thursday 13 August, fulfilling a lifelong dream thanks to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. Ivan Staines, Paul Terry and Alf Cooley had the extraordinary opportunity to take to the skies in an iconic Spitfire, with each veteran flying in a separate aircraft operated by Fly A Spitfire at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. The flights were financed by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans from a dedicated fund established t

After more than 15 years of providing free transport for veterans attending Remembrance Sunday commemorations in London, the much-loved Poppy Cabs initiative has announced it will now be known as Cabs for Veterans. Founded in 2009 by a small group of London licensed taxi drivers, the volunteer-run service provides free transport across the capital for veterans on Remembrance Sunday. Every year, volunteer cab drivers generously give up their time and use their taxis to ensur

More than 50 London black cabs, carrying veterans from the World War II through to more recent conflicts, descended on Worthing on Tuesday 14 July for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans' much-loved annual summer outing. The convoy of licensed London taxis began the day in the village of South Holmwood, Surrey, where volunteer drivers, veterans, supporters and volunteers gathered for refreshments before making the journey together to the Sussex coast. South Holmwood Villag

The enduring bond between the Dutch people and the veterans who helped liberate the Netherlands during WWII was once again beautifully illustrated when 100-year-old Arnhem veteran, Geoff Roberts MBE, was reunited with four-year-old Twan van Wetering during this year’s Dutch Liberation commemorations. The touching friendship began during the Taxi Charity's visit to the Netherlands last September for the 81st anniversary of Operation Market Garden. Geoff, accompanied by his dau

Fourteen iconic London taxis carrying eleven WWII veterans, alongside other veterans and volunteers from the Taxi Charity, travelled to the Netherlands this week to take part in the annual Dutch Liberation commemorations in Wageningen, the city where the German capitulation was signed in May 1945. The annual trip, organised by the Taxi Charity, once again highlighted the enduring bond between the Dutch people and the British veterans who helped liberate their country more tha

The Ministry of Defence will pay for Second World War veterans to attend commemorations in Europe this summer in partnership with the Royal British Legion. Second World War veterans will travel overseas for commemorations of the Normandy Landings and the Battle of Arnhem, paid for by the Government. This commitment ensures that those who served can attend remembrance ceremonies in Europe, returning to sites of profound historical and personal importance. The Ministry of Defe

This summer, veteran Chris Willmott, who served with the Parachute Regiment, will embark on an extraordinary 1,524 mile cycling challenge from Arnhem to Normandy to raise vital funds for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. The ambitious journey will take place over 25 days, with Chris averaging an impressive 61 miles per day. His toughest stretch comes early in the challenge, when he will complete a demanding 97-mile ride on day four, cycling from Hanover to Magdeburg. As

WWII veteran Robbie Hall with Taxi Charity volunteer Kaz McDonald A deeply moving visit to the International Bomber Command Centre saw WWII veteran Robbie Hall pay tribute to her past, accompanied by volunteers from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) is a world-class facility dedicated to recognition, remembrance and reconciliation. Home to the most comprehensive record of Bomber Command in the world, it ensures future gener

On Monday 13 April, Keely Allen, a trustee for both Corringham Athletic Football Club and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, laid two footballs during a very special visit to the Christmas Day Truce Memorial in Belgium. Keely, who heads up fundraising for the Taxi Charity, was honoured to attend the memorial alongside WWII veteran Ivan Staines during the charity’s visit to Ypres. At the memorial, which marks the site where a temporary truce was declared over Christmas 19

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans hosted a special event at the RAF Club on 10 March to celebrate International Women’s Day, bringing together serving personnel, veterans, supporters, volunteers and friends of the charity. The veterans included Robbie Hall, Dorothea Barron, Marie Scott and Ruth Barnwell, who all served in WWII. The afternoon highlighted the contributions of women in service, remembrance and charitable work, reflecting the values at the heart of the Taxi

On Tuesday 17 December, a group of military veterans enjoyed a truly special day out at North Weald Airfield, thanks to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and the generosity of Aero Legends . Veterans Chris Langford, Peter Galloway, Peter Gospel, Victor Needham-Crofton, Michael Webb, Mick Gosling and Roy Cresswell were treated to an unforgettable experience - a flight aboard a historic Douglas Dakota aircraft operated by Aero Legends. The Dakota flew over Basildon, Thurro

On Saturday 13 December, 102-year-old WWII veteran, Robbie Hall, who served with Bomber Command, realised one of her long-held dreams as she enjoyed a breathtaking glider flight above Cambridge. The unforgettable experience was made possible by the Cambridge Gliding Centre , whom the Taxi Charity first met at North Weald Airfield on Remembrance Sunday. During that meeting, Robbie shared her love of adventure and explained that while the Taxi Charity had treated her to a Spitf

A new children’s book inspired by the life of a 101-year-old D-Day veteran is now available to pre-order, with all proceeds supporting the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. Hero Harry tells the true story of World War II soldier Harry Archer, who stormed Gold Beach during the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France in 1944. His courage, kindness and lifelong sense of duty deeply moved young siblings Alfred and Lilly Mawson, moving them to capture his story in a book for ch

Last year , Richard Iles, a homeowner in Winterbourne Down near Bristol, decorated his house with more than 150,000 Christmas lights, raising over £15,000 in aid of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. For Christmas 2025, Richard is taking the display to an extraordinary new level by adding a further 85,000 lights and creating what is expected to be the largest, or certainly one of the largest, domestic Christmas light displays in the UK. Richard, who travels to Normandy e

On Remembrance Sunday, the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans organised a memorable day with Aero Legends at North Weald Airfield. The day brought together WWII veterans, their families and carers to watch Spitfires. On 9 November, three volunteer London cab drivers transported veterans Ivan Staines, Dorothea Barron, Don Turrell and Robbie Hall to North Weald Airfield, where they were warmly welcomed by fellow volunteers and supporters. The day was coordinated with Aero Legen

It was no ordinary end to half term for a brave band of Year 8 parents from Port Regis School in Shaftesbury. Instead of kicking back with a cup of tea, they jumped out of a plane in the name of charity! On a crisp, clear morning with blue skies stretching for miles, seven fearless parents took on a tandem skydive at Skydive Netheravon , raising funds in aid of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. The team was expertly looked after by the Netheravon crew, who made sure eve

On 22 October 2025, three World War II veterans, Don Turrell, Robbie Hall and Peter Greenwood, and one post-war veteran, Ken Orford, were delighted to visit the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) which operates from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The visit brought back wonderful memories for all the veterans as they viewed the iconic aircraft of the BBMF - a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota and two Spitfires - which took to the air during their visit, sharing runway and airspac