| LTFUC AND DIAL-A-CAB MEET THE QUEEN | ||
 Bill Tyzack (CO6) introduces Prince Philip and the Queen to Fund Chairman, DaC's Mike Son (photo Martyn Cohen) In one of the taxi trade's most amazing days and to help celebrate The London Taxidrivers Fund for Underprivileged Children's 75th anniversary, 90 taxis packed with 200 excited special needs kids - many from the Jack Taylor school in St John's Wood - made their way through the City of London to end up with Her Majesty the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace! The day began with visits to The London Eye and then "next door" to the London Aquarium - both worthy of outings in their own right. McDonalds then kindly fed the hungry kids before the convoy snaked its way back over London Bridge, through King William Street and The Bank - which the police had closed especially - and drove slowly past the Mansion House where the salute was taken by the Lord Mayor Sir David Howard, Sheriff David Brewer and DaC's Bill Tyzack BEM (C06), the Fund's Hon Life President. Bill's wife |
Grace, who does such a lot of work for
the LTFUC without the plaudits, stood proudly beside her husband. As the leading cab passed the specially set-up podium, DaC Board member and Fund Chairman Mike Son leaned out and presented the Mayor with an inscribed mounted crystal taxi. Then to the highlight of the day and certainly one of the most memorable moments in the 'Funds 75 year history as the 90 decorated taxis made their way through Fleet Street, Trafalgar Square and into The Mall where, accompanied by the Parks Police, the convoy drove three abreast to the Palace and exactly on the dot of 2pm, the gates opened and the 90 cabs entered. The children and helpers plus the drivers were then accompanied through the Palace and into the Royal Garden. The kids eyes lit up with delight as they saw a real fun fair, with food, drink and sweets of every description - and best of all, it was FREE! They were later entertained by the Coldstream Guards who had changed their usual repertoire to include a version of The Teddy Bears Picnic! Then a moment that will be remembered for years; the arrival of HM the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh together with Sophie and Edward - the Earl and Countess of Wessex. They were introduced to the DaC trio of Bill Tyzack, Mike Son and Malcolm Shaffron (D64) - the 'Fund's Hon Secretary - before going on a 45 minute |
walkabout speaking to as many guests as
the royal party could manage. The Queen was
then presented with an inscribed crystal taxi
commemorating the joint celebration of the
Buck House visit together with the 'Funds
anniversary milestone. Finally and amazingly, a real life circus in the grounds presented by Zippo. The kids couldn't believe that they had seen so much in just one day! The Fund would like to thank everyone who helped make this day so special - surely one of, if the THE, most amazing days in the 'Funds 75 year history. A delighted Mike Son told Call Sign: "Everything went like clockwork and it was truly an amazing day. But we are what we are thanks to the generosity of drivers providing their time. To them, we say a huge thank you..." The Funds next outing is the annual Southend trip on July 15. If you would like to volunteer your services, call Sue on 020 8889 9678.
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