Liverpool taxi charity outing goes world-wide

An annual charity outing organised by Liverpool’s taxi drivers has launched its own website to ensure more cabbies can sign up.

Organisers from the Taxi Drivers’ Blind Children Outing Fund, which has been running since 1949, have heard that many drivers wanting to join in do not know where to go to find out more.

So this month a website was launched – blindchildrensouting.tk – so they can log-on and find out all they need to know about taking part in the July event.

“We decided to set this up for any would-be charity drivers who just might want to get involved but don’t know how to contact us,” said Phill Carpenter, a long-term member of the outing committee, former cab driver of 19 years and now salesman at Taxifix, the city’s main dealer for LTI Vehicles, manufacturer of the famous London-style cab.

“The trip has been running for a long time but it was time to bring it into the 21st Century.

“My step-daughter, Jodie Goldstraw, has designed it and we hope that it will encourage more taxi drivers to get involved in what is a wonderful event for all involved.”

The event sees more than 50 black cab drivers from across Liverpool – and some from further afield – decorate their vehicles before calling at the Royal School for the Blind, in Church Road North, Wavertree, and St Vincents School for the Blind and Partially-Sighted, in Yew Tree Lane, West Derby.

The excited youngsters are then driven in convoy to Camelot where they enjoy a day of rides at the funfair, food, beach fun and presents, before being taken home.

Prizes are also given to the best dressed taxis.

The event is supported by LTI Vehicles through Taxifix, based in Great Howard Street. Managing Director Damian Lynch said: “We hope this new website will encourage even more of the city’s big-hearted taxi drivers to get involved.

“It is a great event always looked forward to by the children and drivers alike and Taxifix is delighted to continue to support it.”

This year’s event will take place on July 3.

For further information about LTI Vehicles go to lti.co.uk.