News & Updates

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

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

Taxi Charity veterans with the Menin Gate piper and team of buglers Twelve volunteer London cab drivers from the Taxi Charity accompanied a group of veterans on a deeply moving visit to Belgium, joining commemorations and exploring key WWI sites in and around Ypres. The highlight of the trip was attendance at the iconic Menin Gate on 14 April, where the group took part in the daily Act of Remembrance at 8pm. During the ceremony, wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen by WW

WWII veteran Mervyn Kersh received the British Empire Medal at the New Armouries in the Tower of London on Friday 10 April 2026. The honour for services to Holocaust education was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE. We were delighted that one of our volunteer cab drivers was able to support Mervyn and his daughter, Lynne, on this special occasion, providing transport to the investiture ceremony and safely returning them home afterwards.

On 6 June 1944, 17-year-old Marie Scott was stationed deep underground at Fort Southwick, transmitting messages to and from the beaches on D-Day. For her contribution to this historic operation, she was later awarded the Légion d’Honneur. On 28 March, the WWII veteran attended an amateur dramatic performance of Pressure by David Haig at The Barn Theatre, accompanied by her daughter, Cari Samuel. At the end of the performance, following the curtain call, an announcement was ma

On 21 March 2026, I had my first visit with Don Turrell since October 2025 and it was a clear reminder of how quickly time flies. The winter months are always the hardest for him: the short days, cold weather, and a pause in the Taxi Charity outings that usually lift his spirits. We speak on the phone every week, but those calls can never fully replicate the impact of being face to face, reading each other's expressions and energy. Over the past few months, Don underwent surg

Paul Cook with Pat and Christian in Normandy When you're a writer, people often ask where you get your ideas from. I’ve found throughout my career that real life is always more exciting than fiction and that inspiration is often lurking where you least expect it. But I would never have imagined, when I met WWII veteran Patricia Davies (nee Owtram) in 2019, what excitements were about to unfold. Or how important the Taxi Charity would be in those adventures. I had been commiss

In 2025, our veteran collectors were busy raising funds for the Taxi Charity at underground stations across Central London. Some have been part of the collection team for years and clearly enjoy engaging with the public and talking about their lives and experiences. Whilst raising funds is the primary objective, collection days also provide the veterans with a sense of purpose and the satisfaction of knowing they are doing an important job. However, what we didn’t realise whe

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

Dave Hemstead with Matt Weston On 27 February 2026, we were honoured to participate in a special presentation at Gibraltar Barracks near Camberley. Taxi Charity volunteer drivers, Dean Euesden and Dave Hemstead, had the privilege of accompanying Afghanistan veteran Matt Weston and Chelsea Pensioners Clifford Belsey and Alan Clarke to the Royal Engineers' base. During the visit, stable belts were presented to the Sappers as they prepare to move on to their respective regiments

Happy 103rd birthday to Robbie Hall! Robbie served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, in a bomber command, despite still being 17. Her interview with GB News reporter, Will Godley, really captures what an incredible lady she is! Since turning 100, Robbie has flown in a Spitfire and a glider , and even had a pilot comment that she seemed to have experience with the controls! Click here to watch Robbie's interview .

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

On 11 November 2025, volunteers from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans attended a poignant service of remembrance at a care home in Dagenham. The occasion was made even more special as it coincided with the celebration of the 101st birthday of resident John King, a WWII veteran. John King joined the Royal Navy in April 1943 and was drafted to HMS Janus, part of the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla. He served during the bombardments of both coasts of Italy and took part in t

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

Dear all, I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone at the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans for helping make our recent Veterans Air Experience Day at Popham Airfield such a huge success. Thanks to your team’s dedication and generosity, we were able to take around a dozen guests - including Chelsea Pensioners, WIS (Wounded, Injured and Sick) veterans and Taxi Charity volunteers - flying in our flexwing microlights. The feedback from the day was truly inspiring, wi

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans travelled to the Netherlands in September to support commemorations marking the 81st anniversary of Operation Market Garden. 100-year-old WWII Market Garden veteran, Geoff Roberts MBE, who was accompanied to the Netherlands by his daughter and son-in-law attended the service at the Oosterbeek service and laid a wreath in memory of his fallen comrades. Shortly afterwards, Geoff was deeply moved when he was presented with a beautiful draw

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans concluded a special visit to Scotland with three WWII veterans with a spectacular night at the...

Parachute Regiment veteran, Chris Willmott, is set to embark on an extraordinary solo cycling challenge this August, riding 1,382 km (859...