Taxi Driver Online

Top ranking for a caring cabbie

Published on Friday 1 June 2012 12:18

A caring cabbie who gives up his Christmas Day to transport people to visit relatives in hospital for free has won a national award.

Hartlepool driver John Osborne beat off competition from 359 other contestants to win Swinton Taxi Division’s Cabbie of the Year 2012.

The 44-year-old, who was nominated for the award by eldest daughter Rebecca, 20, today spoke of his delight at winning the title.

For the past four years, John has given up Christmas Day with his partner Christine Younger, 41, and their four children, Rebecca, Chelsea, 18, Joe, 15, and 10-year-old Sam, to take people to visit their relatives in hospital free of charge.

He has taken residents to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, and James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, in recent years.

Ex-Coventry City footballer Dave Bennett presented John with his trophy, a cheque for £1,000 and a year’s free taxi insurance.

Self-employed John, who has been a taxi driver for 18 years and lives in the Stockton Road area of town, said: “I can’t believe it. I was shocked when my daughter first told me she had nominated me, so to be crowned the winner is amazing.

“It was nice just to be recognised within the competition.

“To win it has just been a dream come true.

“Hopefully my work will encourage other taxi drivers to want to help others too.”

The competition is run by Swinton and Alex Cooke, of the group’s taxi division, said: “When we saw John’s nomination we knew he was exactly what we were looking for in our Cabbie of the Year.

“He is the sort of person we all aspire to be. He is kind-hearted, charitable and prepared to do anything do help others.”

Source; http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/communi ... -1-4607055

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
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When debating on the TDO Forum.

It's wonderful to see some good press for taxi drivers and well done him

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Just hope that he is the only one to offer the world free trips on Xmas Day.

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IDFIMH

It's not the world and it's not any free trip it's to visit people in hospital. It would do good for all if it was carried out by more drivers even if they only did one trip

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

So all you have to do to be the best cabbie in Britain is give free rides to people one day a year ?

Bet all those others in the competition are right pi**ed off.

I would assume that all the pious Volunteer Drivers slither under a Yule log over Chistmas because tha't's about the only time of the year I ever get their freeloaders asking for my services.

Good on the guy though, I wouldn't do it for nowt though, not least because of the Volunteers half Inching my drivers over the rest of the year and their many less than genuinely needy punters who expect free transport as some sort of a right rather than a final option.

well done although in this world you can be too kind hearted to the point that people take advantage of you

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

What do you mean 'all you have to do' ffs at least he does something

Judging by the replies so far there aren't any others that would do it

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Aye, he's a great guy, what a star

Needs his head looked at

I agree. Charity begins at home.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

If giving your service away for nothing means you are cabby of the year, then it merely confirms why that accolade will never find it's way to the Sussex household.

Even despite the help via the LC.

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IDFIMH

Whatever the merits of his charitable side, it seems a bizarre criterion on which to base a 'cabbie of the year award'.

I mean, is the footballer of the year judged on what he does on the park or what he does for the community?

Just like the insurance industry then

So is 'insurer of the year' based on how kind-hearted and charitable they are, and that they're prepared to do anything to help others?