POPPY CABS: Hundreds of black taxis set to offer war veterans free rides on Remembrance Sunday
Hundreds of London Cab drivers will volunteer their spare time to support the free Poppy Cabs Service, which transports veterans around the Capital to attend services at The Cenotaph and participate in the Remembrance Sunday Parade
Now in its 13th year, London will once again witness lines of iconic black taxis lined up on Westminster Bridge on 13 November. From there London taxi drivers offer to take veterans from main line stations to the Remembrance Day commemorations without charging a fare.
Poppy Cabs is funded entirely by the drivers, often accompanied by family and friends as helpers, who provide their taxis free of charge. Sales of a special Poppy Cab badge support the Royal British Legion and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans each year.
Cab driver Mike Hughes, the coordinator of this important and much-loved free service, said: “Knowing that the Poppy Cabs service is available for veterans, relieves much of the stress of attending this emotional event and every year we are overwhelmed by the support of the London cab trade and the men and women who give us their time and vehicles. This year we are delighted to have received support from Asda for the Poppy Cabs service and one of our cabs has been wrapped with a livery to remind people of the service and the fabulous support and respect the London Cab trade show to our veterans.”
Dick Goodwin, Vice President Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “As well as organising the Poppy Cabs service, Mike Hughes produces a Poppy Cabs badge which raises funds for the Royal British Legion and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. As a charity that is wholly reliant on donations the money these badges generate for us each year is most welcome to help our work supporting veterans from all conflicts.”
To offer a donation for a Poppy Cabs badge contact mike@mikehughes.org.uk and to find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org
