OUR HISTORY
Since 1928, we have been helping children less fortunate than others. As well as our famous yearly seaside outings, we also hold exciting events for the children and we raise money to deal with the many appeals we receive.
Please take a look through our Timeline to see the journey we have been on over the past 90 years.
1928 – The LTFUC is Born
In 1928, a taxi driver named Mick Cohen, who had grown up in the Norwood Orphanage, recruited 12 drivers to organise an outing and raise money for the Home.
1931 – The Birth of a Tradition
Three years later saw the start of a tradition. The coaches of the previous years were replaced by 40 licensed taxis decorated with Union Jacks.
1949 – The Committee is Formed
Four years after WWII had ended the first official committee of the London Taxi Drivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children was formed.
1950 – Media Coverage
For the first time, television and newspapers reported on the annual outing.
1953 – The LTFUC Grows
Growth meant that the charity could increase the number of children being helped by allowing other Homes to be involved in the outings.
1966 – Southend-on-Sea
After alternating the previous year’s outing destination, the Committee decided on Southend-on-Sea as a permanent location.
1974 – Royal Film Premiere
The LTFUC hosted a Royal World Charity Premiere film called ‘The Island at the Top of the World’.
1984 – All Aboard the Orient Express
A special trip was arranged for 45 children to go on the Orient Express.
1989 – Lady Di
The LTFUC were honoured and privileged to have Her Royal Highness Diana, Princess of Wales attend the children’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Grosvenor House.
1990 – Back to Brighton
Due to rebuilding work at Southend, the outing returned to Brighton after a break of 27 years but now with a party of well over 500.
1991 – St Thomas Hospital
The charity makes its largest single donation of £26,000 to St. Thomas Hospital Premature Baby Unit.
1992 – Bonjour Calais
A day trip to Calais was organised for the children, courtesy of P&O European Ferries and Esso Fresh Smell Diesel who supplied the fuel for all 120 taxis.
1993 – Back to Southend-On-Sea
This year saw our annual seaside outing return to Southend.
1994 – Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
The Mad Hatter’s Christmas Party, held at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane becomes an annual event.
1994 – MBE awarded to Gerry Dunn
Committee member Gerry Dunn is awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
1995 – VE Day Celebrations
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of VE Day, the Fund organised a special outing for 300 disadvantaged children.
1997 – Taxi Safari Reinstated
After a break of 10 years, the Taxi Safari outing was reinstated.
1998 – Lord Mayor’s Show
To celebrate the 70th Anniversary, seven taxis took part in the very prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show, one for each decade of the charity’s existence.
2003 – Buckingham Palace
The LTFUC were invited to take 200 special needs and disadvantaged children in a convoy of 100 decorated taxis to a special tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
2004 – HRH Prince of Wales
The Committee of the LTFUC attended a reception held in the gardens of Clarence House.
2004 – Alan Cohen awarded MBE
Committee member Alan Cohen is awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
2006 – University College Hospital
The LTFUC donated a new Children’s Sensory Room to the University College Hospital on Euston Road.
2007 – Kisharon Donation
The LTFUC donated £3,000 to Kisharon, a British charity founded in 1976.
2008 – Celebrating 80 years
A Gala Dinner and Dance was held in the Palace of Westminster to celebrate 80 years of assisting disadvantaged children in Greater London.
2009 – School Donations
The LTFUC presented an Easy-Lift Bench to Kisharon’s Day School in Temple Fortune.
2012 – Buckingham Palace
The Fund’s Hon. Chair, Susan Angel and committee member Michael Son attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
2016 – Michael Son BEM
Trustee Michael Son is awarded a BEM in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List.
2017 – Cockney Harvest Festival
The LTFUC attend the traditional annual London Pearly Kings & Queens Costermongers’ (19th anniversary) Harvest Festival Parade.
2018 – Celebrating 90 Years
A host of celebrities turned out to join the LTFUC’s 2018 ‘Mad Hatter’s’ 90th Anniversary celebration party.
2018 – 90th Anniversary Dinner & Dance
The LTFUC celebrated a landmark event with over 250 guests at their 90th Anniversary Dinner & Dance.
2018 – Cabmen’s Shelter Charity Day
On Friday 29th June, the Russell Square cabmen’s shelter, run by Katie Simmonds who has worked there for the last four years, holds a fundraising day for the charity with £3,100 being raised by donations and tips.
2018 – The Charity Rebrands
The charity are rebranded by Pentagram, the world’s largest independently-owned design studio, to the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC).
2018 – LTCFC grant to Coram’s Fields
On Friday 7 September 2018, Coram’s Fields announced the official reopening of their nursery playground, after receiving a grant from the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC), for the sum of £18,902.
2019 – Reception at Buckingham Palace
On Thursday 14 February 2019, 150 of the charity’s supporters, benefactors, fundraisers and volunteer London licensed taxi drivers made their merry way to Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.