Hastings Friends of Albany Taxi Charity Give School Children a Day to Remember
LUCY BROWN
Wallace and Gromit may not have been in attendance at the Azur, St Leonards on Monday but that did not prevent 200 London school children from experiencing a truly Grand Day Out.
Instead, Charity patron Jane Torvill, Hastings Deputy Mayor Heather Bishop and Scooby Doo himself made appearances – just a few of the VIPs at this lively charitable event.
Deputy Mayor Heather Bishop said: “I’d like to acknowledge the fantastic benificence of the Albany taxi charity which Hastings so welcomes and salutes.”
Thanks to Hastings’ year-round fundraising, the 200 school children with special needs and learning disabilities are escorted in 50 gleaming and decorated hackney carriages to experience the delights of the sea, local attractions, song, dance and fish and chips in St Leonards – and Monday June 12 they hit the weather jackpot.
Jane Torvill said: “I’ve been to Hastings in all weathers, from pouring it down to sunshine but today is just beautiful.”
When asked what she enjoyed most about the event Ms Torvill said, “the looks on the children’s faces, it makes you feel so happy that they are, and of course they get to eat fish and chips!”
The Albany Taxi Charity was originally created by a group of cabbies based on Albany Road, London, simply wanting to do something to help. They decided on donating their time to take selected pupils for a day by the sea. The charity expanded quickly, with Hastings Friends of Albany Taxi Charity establishing itself in 1992.
Stella, one of the original Hastings committee members, is rightly proud of the event. She said, “The taxi drivers do this all for nothing, then when they arrive the children have so much fun. Most of them have never even seen the sea before.”
Stella will be stepping back from her organising role this year, but the Friends will continue to fundraise throughout the year to ensure the event continues. As well as food, live entertainment and A-list celebrities like Scooby Doo, the children round off the day with a goody bag filled with toys, books and party items to take home. All of this is achieved through donations and the hard work of volunteers.
As an observer I was struck by the impressive sight of rows of gleaming black cabs, the sheer joy on the faces of the children, the palpable excitement in the Azur, and the unbelievable dedication and generosity of the people behind it all.
A Grand Day Out indeed.
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