Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

Welcome to the Taxi Charity

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was formed in Fulham in 1948.

We offer international trips to Holland, Belgium and France, day trips to concerts or museums, transport to attend fundraising events, as well as special days out to catch up with friends and comrades.

To fund and facilitate these outings, the charity is wholly reliant on donations from members of the public, businesses and trusts and the amazing group of London taxi drivers who volunteer their time and vehicles so willingly.

MORE ABOUT US

New chairman for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

In May 2024, the Taxi Charity elected Colin Mills as our chairman; he will be assisted by newly elected vice chair, Paul Cook.

FIND OUT MORE

Colin Mills - Taxi Charity for Militray Veterans 4.JPG

Recent News

The Taxi Charity will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day

2024: A year in review by Taxi Charity chairman, Colin Mills

80th anniversary of Dutch Liberation – Invitation to WWII Veterans

D-Day veterans appear on The National Lottery's Big Bash

Obituary: Raymond ‘Ray’ Whitwell (17 March 1919 - 20 November 2024)

WWII veteran, Peter Smoothy, celebrates his 100th birthday

Taxi Charity's Ian Parsons interviewed by the Veterans' Foundation

Distinct Distillers launches 'Heroes Cask Reserve' on Remembrance Day, honouring WWII veterans with exclusive British rum

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03:42

Taxi Charity veterans interviewed by John Maguire from BBC Breakfast

During our recent visit to Normandy in June for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we were joined for lunch by John Maguire from BBC Breakfast. He spoke with WWII veterans, Peter Smoothy and Marie Scott, as well as Taxi Charity vice chairman, Paul Cook. This is his report...

03:22

BBC Breakfast interviews Taxi Charity volunteers and war veterans at Harwich

On Thursday 31 August 2023, BBC Breakfast joined Taxi Charity volunteer cab drivers and war veterans at Harwich to find out more about their trip to the Netherlands for the annual Wandeltocht Airborne March.

04:22

The BBC's Anna Holligan meets veterans and volunteers from the Taxi Charity at Oosterbeek Cemetery

On Sunday 3 September, the BBC’s Foreign Correspondent, Anna Holligan, met the Taxi Charity for their visit to Oosterbeek Cemetery. She interviewed WWII veteran Don Turrell and his friend, 27-year-old Callum Reid, about the wonderful bond they share. She also spoke with John Poyner who was visiting his cousin’s grave for the first time, and she filmed a moving moment when WWII D-Day veteran, Bill Gladden, sang We’ll Meet Again.

01:51

WWII veterans Geoff Roberts and Robbie Hall interviewed for Dutch TV

On 4 May 2023, during their trip to the Netherlands for Dutch Liberation, Taxi Charity volunteers and veterans had lunch at the National Liberation Museum in Groesbeek. They were joined at the museum by Josephine van der Erve, a journalist for a Dutch TV news broadcaster, WNL. Josephine interviewed Market Garden veteran Geoff Roberts and WWII Bomber Command veteran Robbie Hall about their experiences during WWII and what advice they would give to young people.

We would like to thank Peter Carey for the years he has served as a trustee and committee member for the Taxi Charity. Following his resignation, we are delighted that he will continue to volunteer with us as a driver.

In May 2025, the Netherlands will mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation, commemorating the end of the German occupation in 1945. This significant event marks the culmination of five long years of occupation, which began in May 1940, and the eventual liberation by Allied Forces.

Every year on 4 May, the Netherlands observes a Day of Remembrance, followed by a national celebration on 5 May, where the Dutch people express their deep gratitude to those who helped secure their freedom.

Since 2012, the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans has been proudly taking veterans in black taxis from London to Wageningen, where they pay their respects on 4 May to the fallen heroes who did not return, and the following day, join the Liberation Day celebrations in a grand military parade.

This year, as the Netherlands celebrates the 80th anniversary of their liberation, the commemorations will be bigger and more meaningful than ever before. To honour this special occasion, the Taxi Charity would like to offer WWII veterans who served in the Netherlands the opportunity to join a fully funded, five-day trip back to the country they helped liberate and the people who continue to cherish the sacrifices they made.

If you are a WWII veteran who served in the Netherlands and would like to be considered for a place on this extraordinary trip, please contact Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity, by email at info@taxicharity.org or by calling 07941 772264.

How spectacular is this Christmas light display on Richard Isles' home in Bristol?

There are over 200,000 lights and we are so grateful that this will raise funds for us.

Thank you, Richard. ❤️

Justgiving fundraising link in bio.
🎄🎄🎄

D-Day veteran, Peter Smoothy, is celebrating his 100th birthday today. He is currently in hospital, so please join us in sending him good wishes. He joined us on our trip to Normandy in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Happy 100th, Peter.

WWII veterans were driven to Shropshire to meet the master distiller who created a commemorative 80th anniversary D-Day dark rum.

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans took a groups of veterans for a two-day break in Shropshire, which included a visit to meet the @distinctdistillers team who have been selling '44', a commemorative special edition D-Day rum which raises funds for the Taxi Charity.

Award-winning Distinct Distillers, based near Ironbridge on the site of a WWII fuel depot, welcomed a group of eight D-Day veterans, one who served in Operation Market Garden and a veteran of the Burma campaign. The veterans enjoyed homemade cakes before a tour of the site, which included a visit to one of the old underground fuel tanks where casks of rum are stored. The master distiller explained how their '44' dark rum is made from the finest molasses and aged in sherry and bourbon barrel oak chips with notes of demerara, caramel and coffee.

Hannah Boon, MD of Distinct Distillers, said:

"The Distinct Distillers' team felt so privileged to have these WWII heroes on our site. We were delighted when the charity accepted our offer to visit our distillery and we were keen to explore how we could raise additional funds to support their work with veterans. After the popularity of the 1944 Dark Rum, we’re expanding our plans with the charity further and will be releasing another line ready for VE day in 2025. We have also launched our Heroes Reserve Cask Programme, which are available to purchase with a £350 donation per cask going to the charity. We also laid down 12 barrels, each one dedicated to those veterans who visited, and we’ll mature these for five to seven years until ready for release."

Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said:

"The Commemorative D-Day rum has raised over £750 to support our work and it was really fascinating to see and hear how it is made and to visit the huge underground tanks which store the casks under perfect conditions. Later that evening, the team from Distinct Distillers visited our hotel for a rum tasting which went down very well, especially with our naval veterans!"

D-Day Naval veteran, Les Underwood, 98, died on Thursday 5 September.

On D-Day in June 1944, 18-year-old Les Underwood was on a merchant ship destined for Russia which was diverted to the coast of Normandy. At the time, he had no idea where it was going to, as the captain did not share the destination with any of the crew.

In June 2024, Les joined a group of veterans who travelled to Normandy with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

During the week in Normandy, Les spoke of his memories of D-Day, telling the charity volunteers: “We handed our supplies over and joined in the chaotic scene. Men were going down the ropes over the sides of landing craft into what they assumed was shallow water and it was deep and they went straight down because of the weight of their kit. There was noise, shouting, gunfire and utter madness.”

Les did not know until years later that he had been at D-Day as he was never told at the time. Decades later he was traced and found out the magnitude of what he had been part of.

Les was married to Ellen Underwood for over 50 years and lived with her in Rush Green. They had a daughter Victoria and a son Paul. They had three grandchildren, Matthew, Adam and Tom, and five great grandchildren, Archie, Oscar, Ellen, Amelie and Jessica.

Tom Broughton, Les Underwood’s grandson, said: “During his life, Les was a boxer, a sailor in the merchant and Royal Navy, a black taxi driver, a lorry driver, a bus driver and finally a British Telecom engineer. On behalf of my grandad’s family, I’d like to thank everyone at the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans for all of their help, support and kindness over the years. We are very grateful to all the volunteers and the drivers who looked after Les on the many different trips, which he absolutely loved, and it was fitting that his last journey with the charity was to the beaches in Normandy earlier in the year. We wish the charity all the best in the future and every success.”

On 3 August, WWII veterans Norrie Bartlett, Harry Rice, Mervyn Kersh and Marie Scott, post-war veterans Vic Needham Crofton and Peter Gospel, and Mike, Ken, David and Trevor from The Royal Hospital Chelsea were invited by the Taxi Charity to attend the Battle Proms Picnic Concert at Highclere Castle.

In beautifully sunny weather, volunteer London cab drivers brought the veterans to the Castle for a programme which included a horseback display by the Worcestershire Cavalry, the Red Devils parachute display team freefall demonstration and the Battle Proms Belles singing vintage favourites before the New English Concert Orchestra rounded off the night accompanied by fireworks and cannon fire.

The charity’s vice chairman, Paul Cook, ensured the group did not go hungry, having made three different types of scotch eggs; potato cheese and onion puffs; coconut, mango, cashew nut, mint and chilli salad; savoury croissants and a tarte tatin. To complete the picnic, Erith based Crumbs Bakery donated a box full of cakes, a box of bread pudding and two boxes of their famous sausage rolls.

Colin Mills, London cab driver and chairman of the Taxi Charity, said: "As the only forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment, taking veterans to Highclere Castle for the Battle Proms was a great way to spend a summer’s evening. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed a tot or two of a limited edition D-Day rum from @distinctdistillers, which raises funds to support our work. We also got to meet the Countess of Carnarvon who generously spent some time with our group."

WWII veteran, Mervyn Kersh, said: "It's always so very nice to be invited and yesterday's outing was a first for lots of us. We were, as always, royally looked after and wanted for nothing. The team's attention to detail is unbelievable. Great company in a spectacular setting, rousing music, aerial displays, a handmade picnic and I even had a private word with Sir Winston about the state of our country!"

Marie Scott was a radio operator on D-Day, transmitting critical messages to troops on the beaches of Normandy.

Reposted from @ministryofdefence

Reposted from @bfbsradio

A huge thank you to all our volunteer drivers in their black cabs for driving the veterans to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Posted @withregram • @catdeeley Just amazing !!!! 🙌❤️ #repost @benshephardofficial: What a privilege to chat with Les and Dorothea both Second World War veterans, 98 and 99 years young.!! Along with Paul from @taxicharity who help take Vets out to Normandy for D Day commemorations and other really special events and occasions. They are both still twinkling as that third picture shows 🤣🥰 and Dorothea still teaches yoga every Monday!! Just wonderful joyful people @catdeeley and I are so lucky to have met.

Our volunteer drivers in a convoy of London cabs, along with their special passengers, are at Portsmouth waiting to board the ferry to Normandy for the D-Day 80 commemorations. We're looking forward to seeing lots of wonderful photos! #dday80 #normandy #wwiiveterans

On 5 May 2024, 13 British veterans and one Canadian veteran led the Liberation Day Parade through Wageningen, applauded by thousands who lined the route.

The British veterans had travelled to the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which has been making the annual trip for Dutch Liberation since 2012. They were joined by a Canadian veteran for the weekend in Wageningen, the Dutch city of liberation.

In the Netherlands, 4 May is the national day of remembrance. British Market Garden veteran, Geoff Roberts, had the honour of lighting the flame of liberation with Canadian veteran, George Brewster, at midnight in the Wageningen town square, watched by millions on Dutch TV.

The following day, thousands of people arrived in Wageningen to watch the annual Liberation Day Parade, which was led by three golf carts and two London cabs carrying the Taxi Charity veterans.

The veterans were showered with flowers, gifts and a thunderous round of applause during the 5km route; and it was heartening to see the tears shared by the veterans and the families of those they had liberated 79 years before.

During lunch on 4 May, Hans Kranenburg, President of the Police Sport Association, who addressed the veterans, said: "We are extremely honoured and privileged with your presence. Without your sacrifices, and those of the many soldiers and freedom fighters, we would not have been able to stand here to speak freely and to walk in freedom. Words cannot express what you have done for us. We will never fully understand the depth of your scars. Your dedication and commitment to liberate our country will always be in our hearts and minds. We owe you so much.”

Taxi Charity advisor, Frans Ammerlaan MBE, from the Market Garden Foundation, said: “We look forward to welcoming British veterans to the Netherlands each year and it is always such a pleasure to host these brave men and women.”

Dick Goodwin, honorary secretary of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “The party of veterans had such a wonderful time thanks to the carers, volunteers, London cab drivers and our old and new Dutch friends.

📸 Photos courtesy of Arjan Vrieze.

We are delighted to announce that our limited edition 'D-Day 80' badges and windscreen stickers are now available to buy from our online 'pop-up' shop!

They were designed by Taxi Charity volunteer, Susy Goodwin, to raise funds to take veterans to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June 2024.

By ordering a badge, you will be contributing towards the cost of our trip, so that the veterans who went to Normandy by sea and air in 1944 will be able to travel to France by taxi in 2024.

The badges cost £5 each and the windscreen stickers cost £2 each.

UK postage is £2.50. International postage is £4.50.

Link in bio.

Obituary: Tom Schaffer 25 April 1926 - 16 March 2024

Tom Schaffer, who was affectionately known as the poster boy of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, died on 16 March 2024 - he was 97. Tom was a regular on Taxi Charity trips across the UK, and to the Netherlands and Normandy, for over 30 years.

After enlisting during the war and doing his initial training, Tom volunteered for the Parachute Regiment and was accepted and joined the 13th (Lancashire) Battalion. His first military action was in the Ardennes as part of 6th Airborne and his first jump was Operation Varsity in March 1945. The aim of this operation was to establish a bridgehead across the river Rhine for the main Allied advance into Germany.

In 2022, Taxi Charity chairman, Brian Heffernan, was thrilled to take Tom to an event at Markshall Estate, Colchester, to commemorate the 77th anniversary of those who flew in Operation Varsity. Tom said at the time: "Operation Varsity was part of our job. My only thoughts at the time were let's get this done. We lost a lot of men, but the operation was a success and we captured 3,500 German soldiers. The Taxi Charity take me to commemorations all over the country and on the continent. The volunteer cab drivers like Brian pick me up from my home and without them I would not be able to participate in so many commemorative occasions. They take us on fantastic social events too!"

On 5 December 2019, Tom was presented with the Dutch Liberation Medal by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Arts who was the Dutch Military Attaché to the United Kingdom. Tom said: "It is a real honour to have been presented with the Dutch Liberation Medal. Next May, I will be travelling to the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Dutch Liberation and I will wear this medal with immense pride."

Chris Watson commented on the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans’ Facebook page: "Our dear Dad has gone now. He will be in our hearts forever and will be sadly missed. Thank you all for the lovely messages - it means a lot to us - we're always so proud of our Father.”

First photo courtesy of @glyndewis ❤️

Our ambassador and Dutch advisor, Frans Ammerlaan, has been awarded an honorary MBE.

WWII veteran, Geoff Roberts, said: “I am absolutely delighted that my great friend Frans, who has done so much to support and remember those who participated in Operation Market Garden, has been made an MBE.”

Today marks 100 days until the 80th anniversary of D-Day and we need your help to get our veterans to Normandy. #DDay80

2023 was a hugely significant year for the Taxi Charity as we celebrated our 75th anniversary - and 75 years of London cab drivers supporting veterans.

2024 will be an even bigger year for our veterans, especially the ladies and gentlemen who participated in WWII.

This year in June, people from the UK, France, Canada and the USA and probably from across the world too, will be heading to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and we hope to be there too.

Back in 2019, the 75th anniversary of D-Day was a very moving occasion, and this year I think it will be even more so. Sadly, many WWII veterans are no longer with us and the number who will be able to make the trip to Normandy in June will be much smaller than ever before.

In 2019, we took 30 veterans back to the beaches in 30 black cabs; this year we estimate that we will probably need only half this number of cabs.

The most difficult part of the planning process has been that the price of hotel rooms in Normandy for the week of D-Day have absolutely sky-rocketed, and even at their exorbitant prices, there is little or no availability. Unfortunately, this means that we won’t be able to take everyone with us that we would have liked to.

We have already raised some funds towards the trip but we are still short of the required total. We are applying to foundations and other charities for funding and grants, and doing bucket collections at London Underground Stations.

We are also extremely thankful to those supporters who are doing fundraising challenges for us, including Ben Mayne who is a Taxi Charity advisor, battlefield historian and guide, and veteran, Ben Mead.

In March, Ben Mayne will be walking 25km across London and on 6 June, Ben Mead, who served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, will be walking the route that No4 Commando took on D-Day in 1944, from Sword Beach to Pegasus Bridge.

We will also be selling our D-Day 80 badges for £5 + £2 P&P. More details to follow...

Brian Heffernan
Taxi Charity Chairman

Happy 100th birthday to D-Day veteran Bill Gladden.

🎉🎉🎉

Posted @withregram • @grahambakergbp Happy Birthday, Bill! 100 Years young today!

I was honoured to meet and photograph WWII Veteran William 'Bill' Gladden, at the Taxi Charity Christmas Lunch last month. He is a true gentleman who shared his amazing story.

Bill volunteered for airborne duties and served with the 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment and flew into Normandy in a Hamilcar glider on D-Day

Have a brilliant birthday, and I thank you for your service. 🙏🏽

#GrahamBakerPhotography #BexleyBusiness #KentBusiness #SBSWinner #MHHSBD #Photographer #Welling #Sidcup #Bexleyheath #Bexley #Photography #LondonPhotography #KentPhotography #PortraitPhotographer #PortraiturePhotography #FineArtPhotography #NormandyVeterans #NormandyVeteran #Veterans #MilitaryVeterans #PortraitPhotography #normandie1944 #TaxiChartity #BritishMilitary #SupportOurVeterans #100YearsOldToday #100YearsOld

On 16 November, former Essex Regiment and Glider Pilot Regiment veteran, Captain Ron Johnson, died at home; he was aged 102.

A glider pilot during WWII, Ron was held in reserve on D-Day, and his first operational flight was Operation Market Garden, the battle for the Bridge at Arnhem, in September 1944 - one of the major battles of WWII.

During the subsequent fighting at Oosterbeek, he was wounded twice, first by a mortar and then by a sniper. It was lucky that the sniper’s bullet hit him in the back and exited through his shoulder. Ron was later taken to a hospital for treatment, but it was overrun by Germans and he was taken prisoner.

Ron headed to Germany, with many other wounded soldiers, locked in a cattle truck for four days and three nights and was held as a POW in Spangenberg Castle for six months.

In April 1945, as the Americans got closer, the Germans began marching the prisoners towards the west and Ron and fellow glider pilot, Bob Garnett, took their chance one evening and escaped into the hills.

On the same night, the Duchess of Cornwall’s father, Major Shand, who Ron had known in the castle also escaped and headed for cover in the same hills.

Ron and Bob spent eight nights hiding in the hills, with very little sleep and just a few biscuits to eat until the Americans arrived. The Americans put Ron and Bob in a house overnight and the next morning a French worker took them to a local airfield where the Americans flew them to Paris.

After a night in Paris, they took a train to the coast and were flown back to England in a Dakota.

As soon as he arrived home, he put on his uniform and headed to Buckingham Palace to celebrate VE Day...

On 12 November, hundreds of cabbies assembled in London to take veterans from mainline stations to the Cenotaph, and back.

Mike Hughes, the Poppy Cabs co-ordinator, said: “We've been providing the free Poppy Cabs service for 14 years and every year it grows bigger and bigger. The service is funded entirely by London cab drivers, often accompanied by family and friends, who volunteer their cabs and their time for this important service. Knowing that the Poppy Cabs service is available relieves much of the stress for veterans attending the Remembrance Day service, and every year we are overwhelmed by the support of the London cab trade and the men and women who give us their time and vehicles.”

On Thursday 9 November, we were delighted and honoured to escort SAS veteran, Terry, to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

He met Her Majesty The Queen and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP.

The field is planted with over 35,000 tributes to the fallen of the First and Second World Wars and more recent conflicts.

A huge thank you to author, Damien Lewis. As a veterans charity that relies wholly on donations, this is such a wonderful gesture.

Posted @withregram • @authordlewis Alec Borrie's folks have added an extremely rare copy of Alec's life story to be auctioned raising funds for
@TaxiCharity
along with the original framed portrait of Alec. Bids close end November. Share widely & to bid go to 'contact author' button here:
https://damienlewis.com

On 12 November, when the capital falls silent at 11:00am, hundreds of London’s black cab drivers who volunteer their time to take veterans to the Cenotaph and the parade as part of the Poppy Cabs free service, will also pause to remember.

Since 2009, volunteer black taxi drivers have provided a free Poppy Cabs taxi service for veterans attending the annual Remembrance Day service and parade. This year, on Sunday 12 November, over 1,000 free taxi journeys will move veterans from stations across the capital to the Cenotaph, thanks to the generosity of London’s cab drivers.

Mike Hughes, Poppy Cabs coordinator, said: "We have been providing the free Poppy Cabs service for 14 years and every year it grows bigger and bigger. The service is funded entirely by London cab drivers, often accompanied by family and friends, who volunteer their cabs and their time for this important service. Knowing that the Poppy Cabs service is available relieves much of the stress for veterans attending this emotional event, and every year we are overwhelmed by the support of the London cab trade and the men and women who give us their time and vehicles."

On 12 November, volunteer cab drivers are required between 08:00 – 10:00 to cover journeys from all the main line stations, Victoria Coach Station, the Victory Services Club and the Union Jack Club; and in the afternoon, volunteers are also required from 12:30 – 16:00 at Westminster Bridge to help with the return journeys.

Each year commemorative Poppy Cabs badges are available for a minimum donation of £5. The money raised supports the Royal British Legion and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

To purchase a Poppy Cabs badge or to volunteer, please contact mike@mikehughes.org.uk.

On 29 September, ten London cab drivers who volunteer for the Taxi Charity took 15 veterans to Goodwood to participate in a @mission_motorsport event.

Mission Motorsport launched in March 2012 to help those affected by military operations by engagement through sport, and the Taxi Charity was delighted when they were invited to bring veterans to their race track event at Goodwood in West Sussex.

The event gave the veterans the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat and race around the track at speeds of up to 150 mph in a range of sports cars, including BMW, Audi, Ferrari and Aston Martin.

Among the veterans attending the event with the Taxi Charity were six Chelsea Pensioners who were picked up from the Royal Hospital Chelsea and driven to Goodwood in three London taxis.

One of the Chelsea Pensioners, Mike Smith, said: "What a couple of weeks I have had. On 12 September, the Taxi Charity took me to an event at Biggin Hill and I got to fly in a Spitfire, and then today I have been whizzed around the race track at high speeds and had great fun on the skid pan. What a wonderful treat! I am extremely grateful to the Taxi Charity for making it all happen. An unforgettable two weeks."

Frances Wyhowska, ambassador of the Taxi Charity, said: "Mission Motorsport gave our veterans and drivers a marvellous day at Goodwood Motor Circuit. Everyone was given the opportunity to experience laps in sleek supercars at speeds of up to 150mph and the Chelsea Pensioners couldn’t be drawn away... until that is they discovered the skid pan! Our volunteer drivers even got the chance to do three laps of the track in their cabs, albeit at a slightly more sedate pace. The kindness of everyone at Mission Motorsport was outstanding and the smiles on the faces of our veterans and drivers said it all."

A very happy 100th birthday to naval veteran, Teddy Hayford. Our volunteers, Dick and Susy Goodwin, had a great time celebrating with him.

Dick said: “Teddy is a wonderful man and has an infectious Norman Wisdom-esque side to him. I remember once when he came into The Boot on Judge Street and announced that the drinks were on him. As everyone got excited and began to shout their orders, he simply walked out of the other door and disappeared.”

The Taxi Charity is delighted to announce that Frances Wyhowska, who is such a wonderful supporter of our work, has agreed to become an ambassador. 💜

On Tuesday 12 September, a group of 19 WWII veterans were joined by veterans from other conflicts for a Taxi Chairty event in the Heritage Hangar at Biggin Hill, a working hangar for Spitfire restoration projects.

During the event, which celebrated the Taxi Charity’s 75th anniversary, veterans enjoyed catching up with each other, a light lunch and entertainment from the D-Day Darlings.

At midday, Chelsea Pensioneer Mike Smith, who served with the Royal Army Service Corps as an Air Despatcher, was surprised with the news he would be taking to the skies in a Spitfire, along with a second Spitfire carrying Taxi Charity ambassador and vitamin entrepreneur, Johnny Gallagher, who had generously paid for the event.

Hearing and seeing the Spitfires take off and land, and listening to war time songs, many synonymous with the charity’s greatly missed patron, Dame Vera Lynn, certainly brought memories from 80 years ago flooding back. Veterans also participated in an art piece being created by military artist, Kirsty Chapman.

Brian Heffernan, London cab driver and chairman of the Taxi Charity, said: "For 75 years, London cab drivers have volunteered their time to support veterans. Events like this are a wonderful way for veterans to get together to talk with those who have similar life experiences. The pandemic coupled with the cost of living crisis has left thousands of charities, including ours, with many fundraising challenges and we are so grateful that our young ambassador, Johnny Gallagher, offered to cover all the costs for this event."

Dick Goodwin, Honorary Secretary of Taxi Charity, said: "When we surprised Mike Smith with the chance to fly in a Spitfire, we had no idea what his reaction would be. Imagine our delight when he told us that we would be ticking something off his bucket list which he never thought he would be able to achieve."

Wonderful coverage from the BBC's Foreign Correspondent, Anna Holligan, who met with the Taxi Charity on our visit to Oosterbeek Cemetery on 3 September.

She interviewed WWII veteran Don Turrell and his friend, 27-year-old Callum Reid, about the wonderful bond they share.

She also spoke with John Poyner who was visiting his cousin’s grave for the first time, and she filmed a moving moment when WWII D-Day veteran, Bill Gladden, sang We’ll Meet Again.

On Saturday 2 September, Ben Mead, from Eastbourne, who served with REME in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, will join thousands of others to participate in the 40km Wandeltocht route around Oosterbeek near Arnhem.

Many of the walkers will complete only a section of the full course but Ben will be marching the full route while carrying a pack weighing 15kg to replicate the packs that the allied troops, including his grandfather, would have carried in 1944.

Veteran Ben, who has previously been part of the Taxi Charity on trips to Normandy, will be joining the charity on our trip to the Netherlands at the beginning of September.

The trip for Wandeltocht (also known as the Airborne March) is the annual Dutch commemorative event in remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem which took place in September 1944.

For the last 75 years, the Taxi Charity has been supporting veterans, and Ben is one of a new generation who will benefit from the support and friendship the charity offers to veterans from all conflicts.

Ben said: "Over the years, I have been lucky enough to go away on some wonderful trips with the Taxi Charity and have met some amazing people, especially WWII veterans. Impressed by what the charity does, I have decided to support them and take part in the Airborne March on the 2 September. The walk will take place in Oosterbeek in the Netherlands where in September 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division saw heavy fighting during Operation Market Garden. One of these brave soldiers who fought was my grandfather and it will be an honour to retrace his footsteps. I’m hoping to raise over £500 for the Taxi Charity before I leave the UK on the 30 August and would really appreciate your support."

London cab driver and chairman of the Taxi Charity, Brian Heffernan, said: "The pandemic and the cost of living crisis has really hit us hard and it is concerning that in our 75th anniversary year we are worried about our financial situation. To hear that Ben is wanting to help is wonderful and I hope everyone gets behind him and donates to ensure our work can continue."

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