Joanna Moncrieff
Joanna and Ray's Fundraising Christmas Lights Walk page
Fundraising for Taxi Charity For Military Veterans
Story
A unique opportunity to not only spend an evening enjoying
the famous London Christmas lights but also at the same time benefit a very worthy charity. Joanna Moncrieff’s Christmas Lights walk has now gained legendary status as one of the season’s must-do events. For the fourth year in succession Joanna and fellow tour guide and taxi driver Ray Coggin will jointly lead the walk showing the best of London’s Illuminations with some fascinating stories to colour the experience.
By joining us you will not only be in for an entertaining
treat, but you will be directly contributing to a very worthy cause in
supporting the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. The charity helps those who dedicated a part of their lives to defend this country’s interests and values in areas of conflict throughout the globe and thus it is our chance to repay some of their selfless acts made on our behalf.
Please donate a minimum of £10 per person and then email joanna@westminsterwalks.london to reserve your place(s).
The walk starts with the cosy glow of a fire in a Marylebone pub*, then meanders through the back streets of the West End through Mayfair and into Soho. The walk includes hidden passages, superbly decorated posh shops and lots of historical snippets along the way. The theme of Christmas continues throughout the tour and there will be a mince pie or two to help us on our way.
The walk finishes in Carnaby Street halfway between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus tubes and near to a good pub for a warming drink*.
*If you're bringing children and want to avoid the pubs there's a cafe opposite the pub at the start of the walk and plenty of alternatives at the end.
Date: Saturday 15th December 2018
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Meet: Outside the Angel in the Fields pub, 37 Thayer Street, London W1U 2QY
Nearest tube: Bond Street
Cost: £10 minimum donation
Walks with qualified City of Westminster Guides normally cost around £10 each. As this is all about raising money for this most worthwhile of causes we would very much appreciate it if you could donate a minimum of £10 per person.
Once you have donated please email joanna@westminsterwalks.london to book your place(s) and for any other queries.
Depending on numbers we will either do one walk with both of us guiding or two walks a few minutes apart.
This is the 4th year we have led a fundraising walk and so far have raised just over £1000 for charity. This is the second year we have fundraised for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and hope to beat last year's total of £257.
Reviews from previous walks:
CDub131 (December 2017) “… this walking tour around London was a highlight of our Christmas! Dodging through little alley ways into hidden courtyards alight with the prettiest of displays we never would have found…”
Catherine C (December 2017) “What a great walk, loads of history, places you would never find without a guide. Jo is a great, knowledgeable guide, it’s just a fun thing to do.”
ljc01 (December 2016) "This year was the 2nd year I’ve done this tour & loved it. …”
About the charity: the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans (formerly known as the London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled) was formed in Fulham in 1948. Its object then was to help war veterans, in their homes and hospitals, throughout London and the Home Counties, by providing entertainment, outings and much needed specialised equipment.
Their aim now is simple: to work for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans, to the best of their ability.
For their annual Worthing outing, they now collect veterans from all over London including the Royal Hospital Chelsea and other Veterans' homes, as well as those who still live in their own homes. This amounts to over 300 ex-servicemen and women and over 130 taxis. Donations are needed to fund these outings. Volunteer London licensed taxi drivers provide their taxis and time for free.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.