On 14 November, when the capital falls silent at 11:00am, hundreds of London’s black cab drivers who volunteer their time to drive veterans from train and tube stations to the Cenotaph and the Parade as part of the Poppy Cabs free service, will also pause to remember.
Since 2009, London’s black taxis have provided a Poppy Cabs taxi service for people attending the annual Remembrance Day service and parade on Sunday 14 November. The free service is funded entirely by the cab drivers who donate their time and their black cabs to take veterans from stations across the capital to the Cenotaph.
Mike Hughes, Poppy Cabs co-ordinator, said: "I expect this year’s event to be even more poignant as 2021 marks 100 years since the Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 and it will be the first opportunity for this parade to take place since the start of the COVID pandemic.
"Each year we sell Poppy Cabs badges and the money we raise supports the Royal British Legion and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. This year our Poppy Cabs volunteers will not only be remembering those from the armed forces and our veterans from all conflicts, but they will also remember the London cab drivers we lost due to COVID-19.
"In addition to looking after our WWII veterans this year, we are also supporting ninety family members who will be attending the parade from Scotty’s Little Soldiers. The charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers was founded by Nikki Scott following the death of her husband in Afghanistan, for bereaved British Forces children and we will drive them around the capital in our iconic black cabs.
"Knowing that the Poppy Cabs service is available relieves much of the stress of attending this emotional event and very year we are overwhelmed by the support of the London cab trade and the men and women who give us their time and vehicles."
To purchase a Poppy Cabs badge, contact mike@mikehughes.org.uk.