Cabbies take kids from hospital to Disneyland

[The Dark Knight]

Cabbies take kids from hospital to Disneyland


For brothers Rhys and Benjamin, it was a chance to meet their Disney heroes

More than 200 children across England, who suffer from chronic or life limiting conditions, have been taken to Disneyland Paris by some of the capital's black cab drivers.

The trip is now in its 30th year and aims to provide some light relief for the children during difficult times, the organisers said.

Cabbie, Phil Davis said: "It’s a challenge but we all do it to see a smile on their face."

Families arrived at Disneyland Paris on Friday evening after setting off from Canary Wharf earlier that day.

"We brought a child here five years ago, knowing he was in palliative care and his mother said he can go on whatever he wants in Disneyland.

"He went four times around Space Mountain," added Mr Davis, who is on his 30th trip, and was the former chairman of The Magical Taxi Tour.

"When we returned she phoned and said he had sadly passed away on the Wednesday morning.

"But, when he came off Space Mountain he had a beaming smile, one she hadn’t seen for years. It is all about creating memories."



Ava and the rest of the children in the black cab convoy had a police escort

Also part of the convoy with the cabbies were London Ambulance NHS Trust and AA breakdown vehicles.

Police outriders from the City of London Police and from France’s Gendarme Nationale were also there to escort them.

Among the families on the trip were 10 children from Birmingham Children’s hospital.

They are joined by consultant Dr Lauren Johansen, who is on the trip for the fifth time.

She followed in her father's footsteps, as he used to participate on the same trip driving one of the cabs to Paris.

"We watch our families have to deal with so much and it is really humbling to see their strength. This is an opportunity for me to give something back," she









www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8m2dxd15eo