2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

03 jan 2023, 6:29 • Market Garden News (English)

Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

2023 will mark the 75th anniversary of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, a remarkable milestone for a small charity which supports veterans throughout the UK.

Founded in 1948 by three London Cab drivers who wanted to arrange for friends who had been injured in WWII to have a day out, the charity was initially called The London Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled. But its name changed to The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans in 2016, to better reflect its aim to support veterans from all conflicts.

London black taxi drivers

The Taxi Charity, which has always been run by volunteer London black taxi drivers has supported thousands of veterans over the years and is the only veterans charity with the sole purpose of giving those they support social events and fun to enhance their lives.

The ultimate accolade for all those involved in the Taxi Charity was receiving 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.

‘75 for 75’ campaign

London cab driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity, Brian Heffernan said, “If funding allows, we hope to celebrate this amazing milestone not only with our traditional trips, to the Netherlands, Normandy and Worthing but also with an event on International Women’s Day, a party in the summer, a joint outing with the Household Cavalry, a shooting and a fishing day."

hr taxi charity chairman brian heffernan

"To help fund these events we have launched a ‘75 for 75’ campaign and hope that with donations from our supporters, friends and the cab trade we can reach our £75,000 fundraising goal.”

The Taxi Charity Patron Vice-Admiral Sir Adrian Johns KCB, CBE, KStJ, DL said, “As this remarkable and unique charity celebrates its 75th birthday, I pay tribute to the wonderful service it has provided for so many of this country’s veterans over so many years. Recognising the significance of social interaction and camaraderie to former service men and women is as important today as it ever has been. At the heart of the charity are the cabbies who give so freely and cheerfully of their time - long may they and the Taxi Charity continue their great work!”

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate to the ‘75 for 75’ campaign visit 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. The charity 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.

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.