For sick children needing treatment and therapy, normality is the one of the most important things for them and their families.
But faced with life-threatening conditions, their needs often mean they are unable to do things many children take for granted, which is why the Magical Taxi Tour makes such a difference.
Not only do they enjoy a break from seemingly endless appointments, tests and treatment, they enjoy an incredible all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland Paris —made possible by kind-hearted taxi drivers.
Anniversary trip
And the most recent group of children have just returned from their incredible three-day trip to Disneyland Paris, to mark the landmark 30th anniversary of the tour.
The trip, run by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers, first took place in 1995 to give sick children a break from therapy and treatment, with support from black-cab manufacturer LEVC.
The journey would be difficult for families to make on their own, and the tour ensures the children, their families, carers and medical support, can travel in a convoy of more than 100 London taxis.
For the 30th anniversary, Taxi Point reports that 96 of the 100 vehicles were LEVC’s zero-exhaust-emission TX model which now accounts for more than 60% of the capital’s taxi fleet. It notes that since their introduction in 2018, the TX has prevented more than 300 million kilograms of CO2 from entering the atmosphere worldwide.
Driven to help
Over three decades, drivers volunteering to take part in the Magical Taxi Tour have clocked up about 1.8 million miles, with some of the longest-serving drivers covering up to 20,000 miles, giving their time freely.
Taxi Point adds that LEVC donates vehicles from its own fleet and its staff take part in the trip, as well as providing financial support, such as covering the cost of fuel for all taxis and spending money for families.
LEVC managing director Chris Allen told Taxi Point: “Each year, Taxi drivers travel from all over the UK to support the amazing charitable work done by the Magical Taxi Tour. Now in its 30th year, the charity provides a joy-filled experience like no other for the families and children involved. The MTT is a charity that’s very close to our heart at LEVC and we remain committed to supporting this amazing cause for many years to come.”
Much-needed respite
Phillip Davis, Founder of the Magical Taxi Tour, said: “As we celebrate our 30th year of the Magical Taxi Tour charity, it gives us great pleasure to reflect on the hundreds of families and children we have helped over the years.
“This vital charity work provides much-needed respite for those involved, with a weekend of fun and laughter at Disneyland Paris. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, from our sponsors and to the generous drivers themselves, who continue to go the extra mile to make this special trip possible every year.”
Taxi driver Ian Parsons, who has driven on every trip, said: “It’s an amazing trip to be part of – what’s not to love about giving these children such special memories? I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in every single tour, and over the years it has become deeply personal to me.
“It’s a huge team effort with hundreds of volunteers making it all possible. I remind myself each child is experiencing this trip for the first time, so I try to approach every journey with the same excitement and enthusiasm. The difference it makes can be measured by the smiles on all the children’s faces. It really is the trip of a lifetime – for the families, and for all us drivers too.”
The Magical Taxi Tour has been making an incredible difference to children with life-threatening conditions and their families. For taxi drivers like Ian Parsons, who has seen first-hand the joy the trip brings, it is the first date in his diary every year.
This is a fantastic, long-standing tradition in the industry, which relies on the support not only of the drivers, but also of LEVC.
