Former PARA and London cabbie to raise money for The Taxi Charity
A Parachute Regiment veteran is joining forces with a London cab driver to take on an epic fundraising challenge – while carrying the ashes of a Second World War veteran.
The challenge will raise cash for The Taxi Charity and also mark the anniversary of 'Operation Market Garden' – one of the largest airborne operations in history.
The Taxi Charity is run by London black cab drivers who, since 1948, have volunteered their time to support thousands of veterans by arranging free trips to the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, for acts of commemoration and comradeship.
The Taxi Charity volunteers Chris Willmott and Seb Philp will be carrying the ashes of 1st Airborne Division veteran John Jeffries as they set off on their September journey, along the route taken during the operation in 1944.
The late Second World War soldier, who died in August 2020 aged 98, landed on Ginkel Heath on 18 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden.
The objective of Operation Market Garden, which took place between 17 and 25 September 1944, was to secure a bridge over the Rhine as part of an Allied invasion of Germany.
To commemorate the operation, the fundraisers will cycle 115km across the Netherlands on Second World War gearless bikes and then walk 40km.
Seb Philp, London cab driver, British Army reservist and Taxi Charity volunteer, said: "Chris and I are honoured to be carrying Second World War veteran John Jeffries' ashes with us during our challenge.
"John was a much-loved member of the Taxi Charity family, and he always enjoyed the charity commemoration trips to the Netherlands.
"We are both confident of completing the challenge and really hope that the period bikes do not let us down."
Starting at 06:00 on 2 September, Chris and Seb will cycle 115km from Bridge no 9 on the Bocholt-Herentals Canal on the Belgian border to the town of Oosterbeek in the Netherlands, via Arnhem.
To make the cycle ride as authentic as possible, the pair will ride two gearless WWII Airborne folding bicycles which will be loaned by the Airborne Museum at Duxford and The Glider Museum at Wolfheze.
Bright and early the following day, the men will walk 40km on a route that will take in the key locations of the 1st Airborne Division's journey during Operation Market Garden as part of the 'Wandeltocht' event, organised by the Oosterbeek Police Sports Association.
The pair will walk the final 40km while carrying British Army Bergan rucksacks weighing 35lb to replicate the weight carried as part of the Airborne selection process.
British Army veteran Chris, who has volunteered for the Taxi Charity since 2016, said: "When I recently heard that some funding that they had been promised was not going to be awarded I spoke with Seb and we decided that we would try to raise the money that the charity had been expecting.
"We hope that this first challenge will raise £10,000 and that we can do more over the next year to raise a total of £45,000 to help the Taxi Charity fund future commemoration trips to the Netherlands and Normandy."
Chris and Seb will be joined on the event by Eveline Kroot, formerly of the Dutch Army.
They will also be supported by London cab driver and charity volunteer Danny Shelton, charity advisor Frans Ammerlaan, who is also Head of the Market Garden Foundation, and friends Anne Haverman and Erny Van Wilk.
Donations can be made by visiting the 'Market Garden Challenge' JustGiving page.
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