Officer’s last Magical Taxi Tour will be “emotional”

This year’s Magical Taxi Tour, where a group of London black cab drivers take seriously ill children for a trip of a lifetime, has started its journey from Canary Wharf to Disneyland Paris.

Around 100 black cabs set off today with the children, who are suffering from a range of chronic illnesses or life limiting conditions, and their carers and family on board for the weekend.

They travel from Canary Wharf to Dover, where they all board a ferry bound for Calais, before making the final stretch to Disneyland Paris.

Police outriders from the City of London Police and from France’s Gendarme Nationale escort the convoy from London to Paris.

For Detective Superintendent Matt Mountford, at the City of London Police, it will be his last Magical Taxi Tour after escorting the black cab fleet for 25 years.

Matt first got involved with the annual charity event, now in its 29^th year, during the first part of his policing career.

“I was part of Traffic, as it was called then, and as I was a police motorcyclist, I volunteered early on to be part of the amazing tour. Then I just became a regular outrider for the tour and have now been involved for about 25 years,” he said. “Every year creates special memories.  Seeing the joy on the faces of these wonderful kids who have so much courage and determination is very humbling.”

Matt explained that escorting the convoy can be logistically challenging from start to finish.

“We have had years where the convoy has broken, lost vehicles, sick children requiring emergency care, breakdown, collisions - not too many thankfully. It shouldn’t be underestimated the challenges this brings, and the total professionalism of the support team that surrounds the tour.”

For his last Magical Taxi Tour, Matt will be joined by his sons Lucas and Leon, who are also police officers.

He said: “The day will be emotional, I’m sure. I will miss the comradery, the laughs, and most of all, the smile and happiness it brings the kids and their families.”

Commander Umer Khan, City of London Police, said:

“We are pleased to be able to support the Magical Taxi Tour for another year on their journey from Canary Wharf to Calais.

“Our officers will be assisting the children, families, carers and the cabbies to ensure they have a very special weekend.”