didn’t like the name I was born with, so Pattison became May and suddenly everything was wonderful," she told Call Sign during her 2008 visit.
   Her parents had also been on the stage and it was they who had the friendship with Fred Astaire. When Eileen’s mother fell pregnant, the Hollywood superstar asked if he could be Godfather to their expected baby – Eileen. It was a natural progression for Eileen to fit into her parent’s theatrical lifestyle and during her many years on the stage, she either appeared with or became friends

with the likes of Ginger Rogers, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Joan Crawford, Dora Bryan, Norman Wisdom and of course Fred Astaire in addition many other household names from the theatre and movie industries.
   When Call Sign asked for her secret to a long and healthy life, she told us: "Don’t drink, don’t smoke, go to bed early and mind your own business!" She also added that "...too much booze and sex wouldn’t help!"
   Wayne went on to tell us that although for her last few months he had heard little from Eileen, prior to that she often phoned him direct – sometimes booking him two weeks in advance – just to go to the hairdresser or doctor. Wayne would never let her down.
   "Incredibly," he added, "she rarely used her TaxiCard anymore because she felt she was taking advantage and that it could allow others worse off than her to get one! However, she was very well organised and rarely forgot to book me in plenty of time, even though her journeys were usually locals!"
   Sadly, in her 102nd year, her memory began deteriorating and she became ever more forgetful. Eileen was buried in the grave of her husband Richard, who had been a former Battle of Britain pilot. She died in her sleep of old age – a star to the end.

and helps to raise £50,000!

Call Sign is probably the biggest regular supporter of charities in the cab trade. Most Dial-a-Cab drivers that come to our office and tell us about a sponsorship they intend doing for a worthy cause will end up with a donation from this magazine. But because we support so many drivers and staff throughout the year, we usually have to say sorry but no to those who are not on DaC. But we do make some exceptions... On this occasion it was for the daughter of Chairman Brian Rice - and not because saying no might have caused ongoing problems! But we know Carla Rice well and when she came to us seeking sponsorship for the Midnight Memories Ladies Only Walk in aid of St Raphaels Hospice, we couldn’t say anything other than yes after hearing her story.
   Carla, her cousins and aunts - 15 in total - met at St Raphaels Hospice at 11.00pm on Saturday 15th September, joining 450 walkers in making the event the biggest the hospice has ever organised. Together they set off to walk the 5-mile course.
   Carla told us that although the funds went to the hospice, the family also did the walk in memory of her Uncle Christopher who passed away on Sunday 15th August at St Raphaels:
   “The care they gave to him and my family in his final hours was amazing and they do that 365 days a year, caring for around 900 people during that time. They need £4 million a year to run the hospice but are only given £1 million by the NHS, hence these events are so important in raising the money they need to continue their fantastic work.”
   According to St Raphaels, the group raised in excess of £50,000 that evening.