Breakfast at 5.30am at Canary Wharf for the Master was a very early start to the day but well worthwhile to support and enjoy what is one of the most deserving of all causes ….  The annual Magical Taxi Tour organised by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers since 1994.

On 20th September 2024 120 Black Cab drivers gave up their weekend to drive children suffering from a range of chronic debilitating illnesses and life limiting conditions to Disney® Paris for three days of fun where all difficulties and challenges can be put aside for a magical weekend. Together with their families there were 420 passengers.

Each of the cabs is sponsored, and Lightmongers are pleased to have been a sponsor of this event for many years now and this year the driver of the cab we sponsored was Frank.

 

Master Peter McVeigh, with our Black Cab driver Frank, Dad Terence and his two children before the official send-off

The convoy of horn-tooting taxis, that will extend for about 3 miles on the open road, left Canary Wharf at about 7.30am accompanied by the City of London Police and the Gendarmes of France, all the way to Paris. What a great example of international co-operation and superb organisation!

120 Black Cabs all lined up and ready to go!!

The convoy is supported by the London Ambulance Service and the AA throughout their journey.

The families, volunteers and sponsors all enjoyed a hearty breakfast, hosted in the Peligon building at Canary Wharf, with some lively entertainment provided by a military band. The Master of the Hackney Carriage Drivers Livery Company gave a brief speech thanking all the volunteers supporting the send-off event, the black cab drivers and all the sponsors of the cabs. The Sheriff of the City of London wished all the families an enjoyable and fun weekend and set them off on their journey by cutting the ribbon.

The Sheriff cutting the ribbon to set the convoy off on its journey.

Our best wishes to all the children and their families for a fabulous weekend and a big thank to the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers for their initiative in organising this wonderful charity event each year.