EDINBURGH taxi drivers are providing free journeys to veterans thisRemembrance Sundayfor the sixth year running.
TheAssociation of Hackney Carriage Drivers of The City of Edinburgh(AHCDCE) has organised the event, which around 20 drivers will take part in.
The initiative hopes to make it easier forveterans, some of whom are elderly and challenged for mobility, to attend remembrance ceremonies which commemorate their fallen comrades.
The Poppy Cabs initiative started in London before coming to Edinburgh, but through communications between taxi drivers in the two capitals, Edinburgh veterans now have access to free taxi rides on the day of remembrance.
The Poppy Cabs service in Edinburgh began in 2019, and veterans are this year invited to get in touch via phone or email.
Remembrance Sunday is an annual event to commemorate soldiers and servicemen and women from Britain and the Commonwealth who have died in war.
It is held on the second Sunday of November every year.
There are a range of remembrance ceremonies taking place on Sunday 9 November in Edinburgh this year.
A parade will leave Edinburgh Castle at 10:30am and march to the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers for a wreath-laying ceremony at 11:00am.
A joint service between Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh Napier, and Queen Margaret universities will begin at 10:10am in the Playfair Library Hall in Edinburgh University’s Old College.
An alternative Remembrance Day event highlighting the folly of war will be held at 1:30pm at TheQuakerMeeting House in memory of all those killed in wars – civilians, soldiers executed as “deserters” for refusing to continue to participate, as well as soldiers killed, and conscientious objectors.
Jonny Bates, co-ordinator of Poppy Cabs and AHCDCE member, said today: “There are about 20 vehicles taking part, not all are in the association, but the association (myself) is running the event this year.
“Poppy Cabs has been running in Edinburgh since 2019; it was an idea that has been going on longer down in London.
“And through communications with them it was started up here. Veterans are transported to and from remembrance services within Edinburgh and the surrounding areas free of charge.”
He added: “I feel it’s nice for the taxi trade to give back something to those people who have put their lives on the line for our country.
“From a personal perspective both my grandparents served in WW2 and my great grandfather died in WW1.
“So, from that alone I feel honoured to remember them and respect them.”
Remembrance Sunday takes place on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day (11 November) – which is a separate but related event – every year.
Commemorations and vigils have already kicked off in Edinburgh for remembrance this year, with the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance being opened in Princes Street Gardens.
Members of the public may wear poppies, which symbolise the sacrifices of soldiers in armed conflict, to show their support for veterans, and observance of the occasion.
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