The Hon. President, Hon. Chairman and Committee are delighted to announce that our Trustee Michael Son was awarded a BEM in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List and on 19th September 2016 the Committee were invited by Michael to witness his Investiture which was presented by Lord Petre KCVO JP at Ingatestone Hall, Essex. Following the ceremony we all enjoyed a lovely tea and great afternoon, for which we thank Michael most sincerely and send our congratulations to him again.
Below is a note from Michael :
I am absolutely honoured to have been considered for the British Empire Medal award. This was totally unexpected and I thank all those who nominated me.
However, it’s important to know this is also a tribute to the committee of The London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children and their continued enthusiasm and dedication helping children with special needs. The trustees are so grateful to our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, for her generosity and kindness when meeting extremely ill children taken by the LTFUC to Clarence House during the Christmas period.
The Fund is so indebted to all supporters and benefactors and specifically the London taxi drivers who give of their time freely taking vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their carers on our outings to the seaside, zoos and other venues. Although the charity is well known for the children’s outings, financial assistance is also given to many worthy causes such as children’s hospitals, residential homes and other children’s charities, plus individual families who are in desperate need for much needed medical, recreational, educational and communicative equipment.
Raising funds and sourcing new sponsors is an extremely important activity of the committee, who are so thankful to various management teams of shopping areas, for example Low Hall Sainsbury’s and Burlington Arcade in Mayfair plus many others, who allow both the committee and supporters to promote the Fund and raise much needed revenue.
With fund-raising in mind, well attended classical music concerts have been produced. In 2013, 85 years since being founded in 1928, together with kind permission of the Chapter, the Fund was allowed to arrange a magnificent ‘Ranks of Angels’ thanksgiving service at St Pauls Cathedral attended by over a thousand guests. Therefore, I must also pay tribute to all the musicians, choirs and conductors who give so much of their time supporting these events.
2018 will be a significant year, completing 90 years helping children with special needs, and with this in mind, many fantastic celebratory events are planned during that year. If there are any individuals, organisations or companies who would like to enquire about sponsoring an event or supporting these efforts, do make contact via the website.
At this point, on behalf of Hon. President, the Hon. Chairman and committee, I would like to thank all our wives, partners and families for their continued help and support in our efforts to give a little magic and brightness to these very special children.
MICHAEL SON, BEM