A very early start was required to enable the Mistress and I to attend “The Big Breakfast” send off for the annual Magical Taxi Tour. Now in its 25th year and organised by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers, the Taxi Tour is staged to give sick and terminally ill children the opportunity to visit Euro-Disney in France for a fun weekend with their families and carers. The Tour comprises of upwards of a hundred taxis, emergency support vehicles and police outriders to ease them all through the traffic down to Dover, over the Channel and across to Paris. And all of it for free!
The send-off takes place in Canary Wharf and we joined by many other Livery Companies in the East Wintergarden for breakfast. Also tucking into the eggs and bacon were the taxi drivers themselves, members of the London police and ambulance crews who would accompany the convoy, breakdown trucks and the AA to ensure they all made it as well as the French Gendarmes who come over specially. And of course, rather a lot of very excited children! The noise in the room was incredible not helped by the marching band of the Royal British Legion and Disney film songs being belted out at full volume. What a party! And at only six o’clock in the morning!
The arrival of the Lord Mayor and his two Sheriffs plus Consorts really racked up the excitement and after a few words by the Master Hackney Carriage Drivers and the Lord Mayor who took the time to thank all those involved, it was time to ‘saddle up’ and get the show on the road!
Each Livery Company had sponsored their own taxi and ours was number 12 (see picture) but finding it in the melee outside was all but impossible (they were not parked in numerical order!). But once located we were able to speak to Lee the driver (his fifth time of doing the tour) and his two young passengers plus their carer (and lots of cuddly toys for the journey), all of whom were ready to roll. Once again, the noise was ear-splitting as horns, sirens and cheering children slowly pulled way to start their adventure. And it was all over for us by seven-fifteen but for the children, the day had only just begun. Incredible!
This event is one of the highlights of the Livery year and all credit must be given to the Hackney Carriage Drivers for putting it all together. Praise also for all those who give their time so freely just so the kids can have a good time in their difficult and sometimes painful lives. This is the Livery at its best.
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