On Wednesday 12th December 2012 (12.12.12) the London Taxidrivers’ Charity for Children were invited for the third year running to take eight very deserving children to Clarence House to help the Fund’s Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, decorate the Christmas tree. Also invited were the Helen and Douglas House Hospice in Oxford, who also took eight children along.
HRH Duchess of Cornwall outside Clarence House with LTFUC Committee
At 9am the committee arrived at the Bridge Primary School, Hungerford Road, N7 and promptly set about decorating their taxis with miniature Christmas trees, tinsel, balloons and fairy lights and then waited for their eight excited little passengers to arrive. In keeping with the Christmas theme, one taxi was brilliantly converted into a “Reindeer”, sporting a flashing red nose, and what a great job committee members Steve and Sim did, with the help of Steve’s wife Wendy. At 11am the excited children came out with their Carers and the festive convoy set off with many people lining the streets taking photographs, waving and cheering, with two loudspeakers on one taxi blaring out “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – brilliant !! The taxis then parked in The Mall before going to Clarence House and gave many onlookers a special treat, with many tourists capturing the moment on their videos and cameras.
3 year old Scott Walters helps HRH to decorate the tree
On arrival at Clarence House, and after enjoying some refreshments, the Committee were then individually introduced to HRH the Duchess of Cornwall by the Fund’s Hon. Chair, Susan Angel. Her Royal Highness soon got into the festive spirit and handed each child a decoration to put on the Christmas tree. The Duchess’s Equerry, Captain Charles Fraser-Sampson of the Welsh Guards also joined in the fun and delighted the children by placing some of the decorations on the tree with his sword, with the children looking on in amazement. He was dressed in his Welsh Guards ceremonial uniform, complete with bearskin and scarlet tunic and gave the children a great thrill by allowing them to try on his bearskin !! We were then treated to a hearty meal of “bangers and mash”, with the addition of crisps, miniature chocolate sweets and fruit juice for the children, followed by a scrumptious dessert of hot chocolate brownies and chocolate sauce.
Hon. Chair Susan Angel introduces the LTFUC committee to HRH
Before leaving, Her Royal Highness handed every child a large goody bag filled with Christmas gifts and very kindly came outside for a photo call with the Committee and of course the “reindeer” ! Hon. Chair, Susan Angel, thanked Her Royal Highness most sincerely for inviting us, which was followed by three cheers from us all.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The children and everyone present had a very exciting, magnificent and memorable day and The Hon. President, Hon. Chair and Committee thank her Royal Highness for inviting us and for giving the children a day they will always cherish and remember.
Raymond Levy
(Press Officer)