Children's Magical Taxi Tour To Disneyland Paris 2000

Friday the 15th September saw the seventh annual outing of the Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers Magical Taxi Tour to Disneyland Paris.

A convoy of 120 cabs, with nearly 200 children aboard, set off for Paris on a murky morning from Canary Wharf, accompanied by a Police escort of motorcycle outriders, the Automobile Association Breakdown Services and the London Ambulance Brigade. I was pleased to see that there were quite a number of members of the LCDC who had given their time in support of the most wonderful of causes. There is no doubt that this must rank as one of the best known of Cab Trade charity activities, but I do not in any way wish to belittle the work that others do in the Cab Trade for their own good causes.

I am sure that a blow by blow account of the journey and the accommodations may prove a trifle tedious to those who did not participate. However, let me say that Phil Davis and the Disney Charity should be feeling mighty proud of themselves for the professional way in which the trip was organised and for the mobile tuck shop manager, Russell Polluck, who gave out extra rations on route for those who needed feeding.

The most important thing was that the children were well catered for and, as it was their weekend, every wish was granted.

There were, of course many sick and disturbed children, who were able to participate in the events of the day, which included a visit from the famous Disney characters at dinner on day two. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee and various others held Court to a mass of delighted children.

My young person was a seven year old boy from Trinidad, who had been receiving treatment for a tumor on the brain. He had just about recovered enough to make the trip. Although able to walk a little wobbly, he needed a wheelchair to get around. What courage from these young people who perhaps do not realise the extent of their illness.

When I arrived home on Sunday evening, I recalled to my wife the events of the weekend: the moments of joy on the face of the kids, the thrills and the delight of the various rides and other attractions and the camaraderie between the drivers in making what this must surely be something for these children to remember for the rest of their lives.

Let’s hope and pray that they will be able take their own kids to Disney in the future.