RAF veteran, Roy Nash, 89, wanted a platform to say a few things to London cabbies and the Mayor of London... Salt of the earth heroes "I wanted to talk to Taxi to praise the fantastic London black cab drivers who are the heart and soul of our wonderful city of London. These often-unsung heroes continue to support many charities even when they have seen their livelihood ruined by the pandemic. Taxi drivers are the salt of the earth and I am so annoyed by the way Mayor Khan ha

Hi Susy! How long have you been volunteering for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans? Susy: I began volunteering in 2008 and the charity has become a real passion and I can’t imagine not being involved. I love spending time with the veterans and hearing their amazing stories. As a keen photographer, I have taken thousands of pictures during trips with the Taxi Charity across the UK and the continent. What does your volunteering entail? Susy: My background is in graphic des

Taxi Editor: Sebastian, tell us a bit about you... Seb: I live in Shoreditch and have been a cabbie in London for 18 years. Because I love military history and especially WWII, I volunteer for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and attend events with the men and women who lived through the war. It is such a rewarding charity to be part of and I love hearing their stories and I’m very happy to now call many of these men and women friends. Taxi Editor: What made you go to I

Over 120 veterans and their families were treated to a trip down memory lane and an afternoon of entertainment during a special concert to commemorate VJ Day held at the magnificent Danny House, Hurtspierpoint on Sunday 16th August. Organised by The Not Forgotten, a British Armed Forces charity for serving and ex-service men and women the event was part of a nationwide outdoor concert tour to entertain, boost morale and lift lockdown spirits by reaching 1000’s of veterans acr

Born in 1959 in Kensington, Dennis Hayes is a London cabbie and sits on the committee of a charity very close to his heart - the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. After learning a bit about his background, Taxi Editor decided to catch up with Dennis to find out a little more… Ed - Before becoming a cabbie, your life was very different? It was indeed. I had a 26-year career with the military and then worked in the security business in the UK and abroad, before doing The Know

WWII veteran Roy “Doug” Miller, a regular on trips with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, spoke to Taxi about the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Japan, known as VJ Day, that ultimately led to the end of World War II. "It Was My Duty" Now 96 years young, Doug joined the Navy in 1940 as a fifteen-year-old having lied about his age, “It was my duty” he said. “We had no idea what to expect and nothing could prepare us for what we would witness over the next five year

Dame Vera Lynn died on 18 June 2020, aged 103, she was patron of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans for over 50 years. Dame Vera Lynn was not only our patron, but she was a great friend who gave her time freely for 'The Boys' as she called the veterans - and they loved her for it. Paul Davis, Honorary Secretary, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: "In the early days, Vera Lynn would sing on the stage at the Town Hall, during the charity’s annual outing to Worthing,

Taxi catches up with LTDA member and chair of Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, Ian Parsons... Q. How long have you been a London Taxi driver, and did you enjoy doing the Knowledge? A. I got my (green) badge in September 1989. The Knowledge was, of course, a huge undertaking, but having lived and worked in London for most of my life, it wasn’t quite as daunting as it was for some. What helped tremendously was going to Knowledge school early on. I spent about eighteen months

London Cabbie, Joseph Theodore, 82, from Muswell Hill, began volunteering for the Taxi Charity in 1958 when he took two veterans in his cab on the charity’s annual trip to Worthing. Almost every year since then he has joined the convoy of London cabbies who take veterans from all conflicts for a day at the seaside. Joseph Theodore, London cabbie and charity volunteer, said: “I was 21 when I started volunteering for the Taxi Charity. The veterans I took to Worthing that first

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans has been supporting veterans since 1948 and during the COVID-19 pandemic has called on London’s black cabbies and charity supporters to go the extra mile to ensure that veterans have someone to chat with or to do their shopping. Last week, the Chairman of the Taxi Charity, Ian Parsons, did some shopping for WWII veteran Harry Rawlins, who lives in Edgware. Harry, an Arnhem veteran, was in the 8th Armoured Brigade, 30 Corps and was part o

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans has asked London Cabbies if they can help veterans by collecting essential shopping or by keeping in touch regularly by phone. A card was delivered to all the veterans that the charity works with, asking them to ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’. The card from The Taxi Charity reads: Dear Veteran, We are not making light of the current situation. Far from it! We are still here and don’t want you to suffer in silence. Should you need any help, or

On 5 March the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans escorted over 100 veterans to the North Cheam Sports and Social Club for lunch. The veterans were invited by Taxi Charity supporter and friend, Tony Millard, the Manager of the North Cheam Sports and Social Club, for one final veterans’ lunch before the club closes later this year. Ian Parsons, Chairman, The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said, “Tony Millard is the most generous publican I have ever known. Every year sinc