Taxi Charity gathers to say farewell to 100-year-old veteran, George Parsons
Representatives from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans joined family and friends on Friday 17 July 2020 to pay their respects at the funeral of 100-year-old WWII veteran, George Parsons. George was married to Sylvia for 76 years, and after her passing he spent his final years at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Sylvia and George had five children, eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. In 1940, George was sent to Norway with the City of London Royal Fusiliers to pr
Taxi Charity celebrates 70th anniversary with a Thank You party
On Sunday 7 October, the Taxi Charity thanked London cab drivers with a party at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The party - arranged for cab drivers who donate their time to support the charity - began at 2:30pm in the Sir Christopher Wren-designed State Apartments and then moved into the stunning Great Hall. Over 250 guests, including drivers and veterans, enjoyed entertainment from singer, Beverley Stone, Swing Patrol London dance group and Joe Lewis, who sang much loved songs
"Thank you for your kindness in driving us to Blenheim Palace" - Joan McLoughlin
Dear Mr Goodwin, I am writing on behalf of myself and my fellow Chelsea Pensioners to thank you and all the other London taxi drivers for your kindness in driving us to Blenheim Palace for the Battle Proms concert and the informal open air picnic. On arrival, we were surprised and very grateful when we found you had brought chairs for us. A little later, we were very impressed when we saw the food you had for our picnic. Many thanks to all of you and your wife and other famil
A first-aider from Essex is training London’s iconic black cab drivers to help save lives
The recent London terror attacks have inspired Danny Hyde, from Loughton, to provide free first aid training for taxi drivers across the capital. Danny is a qualified first-aider and trainer who draws upon 12 years’ experience as a first responder. His charitable act has been motivated by the response by heroic cabbies who were first on scene to assist victims during the London Bridge Terror Attack, in June this year. Danny says: “This topic is close to home as I have lots of
Photo Gallery: Veterans jump for Taxi Charity
On Thursday 10 August 2017, war veterans Ted Pieri, Fred Glover and Dick Carpenter (all 91), undertook tandem skydives with the Red Devils to fundraise for the Taxi Charity. They were accompanied by Chelsea Pensioner Mike Smith (68), who was making his 100th jump, Ted's granddaughter Hayley, and Taxi Charity committee member, Graham Pike. Getty Images sent photographer Leon Neal, who got some wonderful shots. And our own Dick Goodwin got some great photos. We have uploaded th
100th skydive for Chelsea Pensioner along with WWII veterans, Fred and Ted
Chelsea Pensioner Mike Smith (68) will be swapping his scarlet uniform for a red jumpsuit when he joins two WWII heroes on a charity parachute jump this week. The intrepid veterans are skydiving on Thursday (August 10, weather permitting) with the Red Devils at Old Sarum airfield, near Salisbury. Remarkably, this will be Chelsea Pensioner Mike Smith’s 100th parachute jump. Mike said: “I am very excited to be taking part in this jump as it is 23 years since my last one! This w
Fast Eddie's Blog: September 2016 Update
Hello again all you taxi troopers! Fast Eddie, your vice president, reporting in with a round-up of events over the last six months. At the time of my last update in January, the committee was still considering our plans for 2016 and nothing was certain. As you are now aware, an awful lot has transpired since then, thanks to the hard work of the committee, the collectors, our taxi drivers and everyone who has contributed to our events throughout the last six months. February/
Meet the London cabbies taking war veterans on tailormade trips, The Telegraph
It is time for celebration at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. Wartime classics float around a handsome, wood-panelled room, as three smiling singers – all dressed in blue, with hair pinned back smartly, looking for all the world like a trio of Wrens – entertain an audience of veterans. Many were wounded in action during the Second World War, but need little persuasion to join the knees-up on the dancefloor.
Dotted among the veterans are dozens of taxi drivers, and the two group
Volunteer drivers from the Taxi Charity will be escorting veterans around London for the 75th Annive
On Thursday 24 September 2015, volunteer black cab drivers from the Taxi Charity will be escorting war veterans around London for the 75th Anniversary of the Inception of the George Cross by King George VI. On Thursday morning, the drivers will be escorting 50 or so veterans and family members from the Union Jack Club to the King George VI Memorial, where there will be a short service and laying of wreaths. From the memorial, they will then escort the veterans to the Royal Ho
Taxi Charity attends Greater London District Royal British Legion Annual Parade
The Greater London District Royal British Legion (RBL) held its annual parade in Richmond Town on the Sunday 13 September 2015. There were standard bearers from a number of London branches and regimental associations, marching behind the RBL Surbiton Youth Marching Band. The Mayor of Richmond and John Crisford, RBL National Chairman, were in attendance. Volunteer drivers from the Taxi Charity escorted veterans from the Royal Hospital Chelsea to the parade, joined the parade t
Fast Eddie's Blog: News Round-Up
Hello again my taxi troopers, Just a quick update on events. We have taken a little break from our public collections - the last one took place at Blackfriars on 30 April 2015. Since then we have been enjoying some of the fruits of our collectors hard work. As you will be aware, since April we have had very successful trips to the Netherlands, Worthing and the Chalke Valley History Festival, which our veterans hugely enjoyed. Thank you to all those people who have been involv
Taxi Charity Press Release: Black cab convoy honours veterans with seaside trip
Over one hundred kind-hearted London cabbies are switching off the meter to transport war veterans on a seaside trip to Worthing (on Tuesday 16 June.) The 114 London black cab drivers will collect 228 veterans and their carers from all over London before setting off to South Holmwood Village, near Dorking where the vets will congregate for homemade sandwiches, cakes and refreshments. The cabbies will then continue in convoy for the 30-mile journey along the A24 to Worthing. V
Derek's Blog: Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Taxi Charity's Assistant Secretary and Press Officer, Derek Leone, shares his thoughts about this year's Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea. In 1682, work started on the 66 acre site for the building of The Royal Hospital Chelsea. This was started by King Charles II for the soldiers who had been involved in the restoration of the King to the throne. Sir Christopher Wren designed the buildings on Louis XIV Hotel des Invalides, in Paris. The King sadly died in 1685. He
Taxi Charity to attend Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea
A number of Taxi Charity veterans and committee members have been invited to this year's Founder's Day at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 4 June. Founder's Day is the highlight of the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s calendar, an event attended by all Chelsea Pensioners, which celebrates the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II. The event has taken place almost every year since the founding of the Royal Hospital in 1681. This year's royal guest is the Duke of York, Prince
Roy Cadman receives the Légion d'honneur
Trooper Roy Cadman (3 Commando, Royal East Kent Regiment) received the 'Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur' from the French military attaché at the Royal Hospital Chelsea yesterday. The Order is the highest decoration in France and is conferred for gallantry in action or twenty years of distinguished military or civilian service in peacetime. Roy joined the army on his 17th birthday in 1940 (he lied about his age). In 1942 he joined the Commandos and fought in North Afric
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