Taxis give up work for special VIP fares
Organiser, Tom Colgan, said that in 42 years it has never once rained on the Dublin Taxi Drivers Children’s Day Out.
At least 20 weddings have been held on the same day as the event because the weather is bound to be fine, he said.
There were no complaints from the public about the taxi drivers who caused a bit of traffic congestion when they took their VIPs in their balloon festooned vehicles to a party across town.
Among the guests waving off the convoy from Parnell Square was the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Dermot Lacey.
Boy band, D’side, had left their London homes before dawn to attend the charity event.
Band member, Damien Bane, said they did not mind getting up at 3am to get a flight to Dublin.
“The atmosphere is just electric here and we are only delighted to be part of it,” he said.
Ambrosia, who have sponsors of the event over the past three years, provided over 2,000 bright yellow balloons and hundreds of distinctive blue flags to decorate participating taxis.
The taxis paraded down O’Connell Street before heading for Club 92 in Leopardstown where the children enjoyed a meal specially prepared by their drivers.
Michael Sheridan, secretary of the Dublin Taxi Drivers’ Association said they took children and adults from over 40 hospitals and residential care centres nationwide in Dublin and throughout the country on the day out. A number of those participating live in residential institutions so for them it the day out is the only outside event they enjoy throughout the year. A number have attended the event every year since it was established.
Mr Sheridan explained that the taxi drivers also raise money for the various homes, day-care centres and hospitals to supplement their budgets. Last year they raised over 38,100 for to support various projects.
The day out is a huge undertaking for the taxi drivers who spend six months every year preparing for the event.
