For over 70 years, the Taxi Charity has taken veterans to Worthing every summer to enjoy sea air, fish and chips, ice cream and a catch up with their friends. Sadly, this year, the trip has had to be cancelled.
Since 1949, the Taxi Charity has escorted veterans to Worthing for a day out in this popular coastal town. In 2020, for the first time in its history, the trip had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.
Ian Parsons, chairman of the Taxi Charity, said: "Our veterans, volunteers and supporters love the annual trip to Worthing and we are all so disappointed that this year's visit, planned for the 16 June, had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Sadly, this isn't the only trip our veterans have missed this year, as we were also unable to travel to the Netherlands or to France. Hopefully, social distancing restrictions will have been lifted by next summer and we can begin planning a superb return to Worthing, a place which holds so many fabulous memories and where we have made so many friends over the years."
Lionel Harman, mayor of Worthing, said: "As well as being the mayor of Worthing, I am also the armed forces champion for the borough, so the Taxi Charity's annual veterans trip to Worthing was one event I was particularly looking forward to. Past mayors have told me how much they have enjoyed hosting the veterans and I cannot express how important it is for Worthing to greet the convoy every year. I look forward to a time when we can welcome you back and hope that I get the opportunity to meet you all in the future."