Taxi Charity volunteer cabbies took a group of veterans to Normandy for the 79th anniversary of D Day commemorations.
For 75 years the London based Taxi Charity for Military Veterans has been supporting veterans. For many years they have been taking veterans to Normandy to the D Day commemorations so that they can pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
This year WWII veterans on the trip included Doug Baldwin and Mervyn Kersh who landed on Gold beach, Ernie Davis who spent D Day on patrol looking for U Boats and minesweeping and Marie Scott who transmitted messages to and from the beaches on D Day. Younger veterans on the five day trip included Ben Mead who served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan and Chris Langford who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The relationship that builds between the volunteer drivers and the veterans is very special and there are always magic moments. This year during the trip WWII veteran Roy Smith who landed on Sword beach on D Day told Micky Harris, one of the volunteer cab drivers, that in 1944 he managed to get ashore without getting his feet wet. He told Micky that he ‘always felt guilty about that’. Without hesitation Micky took him into the sea and removed that guilt.
WWII veteran Roy Smith from Sittingbourne said, “Being there brought back the memories of just how many men lost their lives. I had always wanted to go back to that beach, but never realised just how much it would mean to me to do so. I was one of the lucky ones.”
WWII veteran Marie Scott from Surrey said, “Our trip to Normandy was, once again, not only highly enjoyable but, because the nearer we get to the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the more relevant and meaning these occasions become to keep alive those precious memories is absolutely vital. The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, with all the help and support it gives us, does just that, So a big Thank You.”
Brian Heffernan, London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity said, “Our volunteer cab drivers are quite simply incredible and I am so very proud of what they do for the charity. They are totally committed to ensuring a balance between the veterans paying their respects to those who didn’t return whilst having a wonderful time. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and made it such a success.”
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org
About the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans
The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. It is the only Forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment and arranges free trips (for veterans from all conflicts) to the Netherlands and France, for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or social events across the UK.
2023 is the charity’s 75th anniversary, a remarkable milestone for a small, niche charity peopled by enthusiastic volunteers.
The charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021, an award approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the equivalent of the MBE for charities.
To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is reliant on donations, grants and sponsorship and launched a ‘75 for 75’ fundraising campaign to raise £75,000 in its anniversary year.
