Return journeys are being provided from across Hull and East Yorkshire
A Hull taxi firm is once again offering free rides to veterans on Remembrance Sunday. WER2 Taxis, of Walton Street, is reaching out now to veterans who might otherwise struggle to go and pay their respects, to get them booked in.
Nick Padgett, of WER2 Taxis, said without his team of willing drivers, the gesture could not happen. Since the company first offered up lifts to the Cenotaph for the annual Remembrance Day commemoration in 2023 the number of requests has grown.
He expects demand will increase again for this year’s service, on Sunday, November 9. It is why he has put out the appeal now for people to book WER2Taxis by calling 01482 770077, and quoting “free taxi” at the time of booking.
Nick said: “I’ve got 100 drivers on the team and nearly all have out their hand up to say they want to help in some form or another. Some work nights and some work days so I’ll be the one working it all out.
“It’s something I want to do every year. It’s been really good so far.
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“We have got a couple of accessible vehicles that I’d like to emphasise and I think those will be really in demand and beneficial to a lot of the people wanting to attend.” The free taxi offer includes a return journey, with the same driver, and journeys are subject to availability.
“Some people pop for some food and drink after the service and that’s fine, we can make arrangements with the drivers for pick-up from another point.” A number of the WER2 Taxis drivers are ex-Forces themselves, said Nick.
“Last year we were really stretched but we managed to help everybody. I’ve got a lot more drivers this year.
“We’re a local business with a drivers who look after people properly. We have a lot of older clientele who are regulars with us.”
The details of Hull’s Remembrance Sunday event for 2025 have not yet been publicised but traditionally, a parade takes place to the Cenotaph before the annual Service of Remembrance, part of the national commemoration. A two-minute silence is held at 11am and after, a salute is taken at a march-past involving members of a number of veterans’ associations, serving Armed Forces, St John Ambulance and the blue light services.