London taxi driver celebrates over sixty years voluntary charity service helping war veterans

A London taxi driver has celebrated over sixty years of voluntary charity service helping war veterans attend day trips.

London Cabbie, Joseph Theodore, 82, from Muswell Hill, began volunteering for the Taxi Charity back in 1958 when he took two veterans in his cab on the charity’s annual trip to Worthing. Almost every year since, he has joined the convoy of London cabbies who take veterans from all conflicts for a day at the seaside.

Theodore said: “I was 21 when I started volunteering for The Taxi Charity. The veterans, I took to Worthing that first year were from WWI and WWII. Over the years we have lost many veterans and been joined by those from other conflicts and recently my passengers have included veterans who have served in The Falklands, Afghanistan and Iraq. I have made amazing friends amongst the veterans and the cab trade and I would highly recommend volunteering for this amazing charity.”

During the last sixty years Joseph has driven seven different cabs, his first was an Oxford, then a Beardmore, followed by an FX3, an FX4, a Fairway, a TXE and he is currently driving a TX4.

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was formed in Fulham in 1948, to work for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans and arranges many trips every year for veterans from all conflicts.

To fund and facilitate these outings, the charity is wholly reliant on donations from members of the public, businesses and trusts and the generous group of London licensed taxi drivers who offer their time and vehicles free.

Dick Goodwin, Vice President, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “The Taxi Charity and veterans rely on the help of kind hearted London Cabbies who volunteer their time and vehicles for free. Joseph has been an amazing volunteer for over sixty years, and he is a very important part of the charity family.”

Image credits: Taxi Charity