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 year were from WWI and WWII. Over the years, we have lost many veterans and been joined by those from other conflicts and recently my passengers have included veterans who have served in the Falklands, Afghanistan and Iraq. I have made amazing friends amongst the veterans and the cab trade and I would highly recommend volunteering for this amazing charity.”
During the last sixty years, Joseph has driven seven different cabs. His first was an Oxford, then a Beardmore, followed by an FX3, an FX4, a Fairway, a TXE and he is currently driving a TX4.
Dick Goodwin, Vice President, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said, “The Taxi Charity and veterans rely on the help of kind-hearted London cabbies who volunteer their time and vehicles for free. Joseph has been an amazing volunteer for over sixty years, and he is a very important part of the charity family.”
Joseph campaigned for many years to see Norman Wisdom recognised with an MBE. He is now hoping to see a statue to Nye Bevan erected in London as there is currently only a bust of him situated in Tower Bridge.
Joseph said:
“With the amazing work being done by the NHS now, it would seem very fitting to have a statue in London of Nye Bevan who contributed to the founding of the welfare state in the UK.”
About the Taxi Charity
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was formed in Fulham in 1948, to work for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans and arranges many trips every year for veterans from all conflicts.
The charity offers international trips to The Netherlands, Belgium and France, UK 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 generous donations from members of the public, businesses and trusts, and the amazing group of London licensed taxi drivers who offer their time and vehicles free.
View full 5 May 2020 issue of TAXI, the newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA).