The astonishing connection between the
London Taxi drivers
Fund for Underprivileged Children and Dial-a-Cab was
continued last month when David Lessman's (D19) three-year term of office as
the LTFUC Chairman came to an end and he was succeeded by DaC Board member
and long-time Fund member, Mike Son.
Similarly to the beginning of ODRTS - founded outside the cab
shelter in Grosvenor Gardens - the LTFUC first came into being in 1928 in
the cramped cab shelter situated next to the loos in Leicester Square, at a
time when you could still drive from Piccadilly Circus through to Cranbourn
Street. That shelter was later moved to Russell Square.
The man credited with the founding of the LTFUC was a London
taxi driver called Mick Cohen - himself a former orphan from the Norwood
Orphanage. His first children's outing involved 12 fellow
cabbies who ferried some Norwood children and their teachers on a ride
around London before ending up at London Zoo where they had tea. This was to be the first outing of
thousands since... Since those early days, many cab drivers have given both
their time and money in helping the Fund reach the successful status that it
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DAVID LESSMAN HANDS OVER
LTFUC CHAIRMANSHIP TO MIKE SON
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David hands over the Chairmanship of the LTFUC to Mike
with the painting of former Jack Taylor looking on
now enjoys. Many - such as Malcolm Shaffron - are not on Dial-a-Cab, but
have been with the Fund (in Malcolm's case, virtually every committee
position including Chairman) for many years and we salute them all.
However, there is an astonishing link between the Fund and DaC when it comes
to the position of Chairman. Without doubt, this list done from memory is
incomplete, but among the ODRTS / DaC subscribers who have reached that
position are Sam Harris (D95J), the late Jack Taylor (D19 - a call
sign later taken over with honour by David Lessman), Bill
Tyzack (C6), Gerry
Dunn
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(S84),
David Lessman (D19) and of coursenow following them, Mike Son.
Speaking to Call Sign, David Lessman said how proud he had been to serve the
Fund as
Chairman and was now happy to serve the
Fund under Mike Son's Chairmanship.
"I think we have maintained our long tradition of helping
children during my term of office. I'd like to thank everyone - committee
members and drivers - who helped during the past three years and I'm certain
that will continue."
Mike Son, on taking over as Chairman, told us that he was
looking forward to the next three years:
"Especially 2003," he said, "which is our 75th
anniversary of helping children and we have some exciting plans towards
that. But we still have 2002 to look forward to starting with the
Mad Hatters Ball later this month. I sincerely hope that we can rely
on those who regularly help us and hopefully some new faces will join us in
helping those children who need that help."
Mike concluded by saying: "Yes, I'm proud of our DaC link,
but the LTFUC is a trade charity and that is how it will always be."
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