When was the last time YOU actualy did anything!

Spook_ie

Well, when DID you last do anything for charity and I don't mean threw a few cents change into a box as an afterthought! or are you the type of begrudger that thinks " Feckin Taxi Drivers snarling up the streets again?"

Taxis drivers give special needs children a grand day out

Dublin's O'Connell street was momentarily brought to a standstill today as 700 taxis carrying more than 1,400 special needs kids paraded through the city's most famous thoroughfare.

Now in its 48th year, the Special Children's Taxi Day raises funds for the 40 participating special schools and centres.

The cavalcade began at Parnell Square before a cheque for 11,500 euro was presented to the drivers on behalf of sponsor Ambrosia in O'Connell St.

From there, as scores of curious passers-by looked on, the entourage was given a garda escort to Leopardstown's Club 92 to continue the celebrations.

Dermot Lacey, former Dublin Lord Mayor, said: "It gives me enormous pleasure to launch the Ambrosia special Children's Taxi Day.

"This wonderful event brings joy to so many people and the amazing achievements of the Dublin Taxi Drivers' should be applauded.

"I hope the many children who will attend have a magnificent day of fun and entertainment," he said.

TV presenter Lucy Kennedy and Irish Boxing supremo Bernard Dunne were on hand to meet the kids.

And another 50 taxis joined the celebrations at Club 92 in Leopardstown, where party treats and sweets were snapped up by the kids.

Tom Colgan, event organiser and member of Dublin Taxi Drivers said he was grateful to the many drivers who gave up their day for the charity event.

"It is great to see the smiles on the children's faces and each year we are amazed and very grateful to see so many taxi drivers give up their day's fare for such a worthy cause," he said.

The Dublin Taxi Drivers were given the Lord Mayor's Award in 2006 for their contribution to providing much needed equipment and entertainment to hundreds of children with special needs in the Greater Dublin area.

Ambrosia has sponsored the event - which has been running since 1960 - for the last seven years.

"Once again, Ambrosia is delighted to be the title sponsor of this one of a kind and extremely worthwhile Dublin event," Ambrosia's Cathy Kelly said.

"As always, the Dublin Taxi Drivers deserve great praise and thanks for their unrelenting hard work and we hope that all the children enjoy a memorable day full of fun and enjoyment."
Release Date 11/09/2007 Source Press Association CountryIreland

knird evol

I hope the kids kept a good eye on the meter and the route taken. You can't trust those bast@rds.

Cheeky_gal

I taught young Vietnamese orphans to speak english there a few months back...

Spook_ie

knird evol wrote: »

I hope the kids kept a good eye on the meter and the route taken. You can't trust those bast@rds.

And you did what exactly? rob the guide dog money from the doggie statues that used to be outside chemists etc. Steal of the church plate or something else?

As was asked have YOU actualy done anything for charity?

Tha Gopher

Hes right, what have most of you done in your work, thrown 50 cent into a collection at christmas?

Spook_ie and his sig are right, if you are complaining about taxis id love to see how you handle yourself on a long winded route on the Fightlink. I have to say ive found the vast majority of them fairly bang on and you often get a good chat out of them, a few ecommendations on where to hit when you go abroad, that kind of thing.

Mint Sauce

110km cycle july this year, again in 2006, 2002 and 2001, family berivement in 2003, 2004, and back injury a month before the event in 2005 stopped me those years.

all for the irish cancer society

Rob_l

Spook_ie wrote: »

And you did what exactly? rob the guide dog money from the doggie statues that used to be outside chemists etc. Steal of the church plate or something else?

As was asked have YOU actualy done anything for charity?

I read this post that should count as charity:rolleyes:

AlmightyCushion

Spook_ie wrote: »

And you did what exactly? rob the guide dog money from the doggie statues that used to be outside chemists etc. Steal of the church plate or something else?

As was asked have YOU actualy done anything for charity?

Actually going by the thread title and your first post, the only question you asked was.

Feckin Taxi Drivers snarling up the streets again?

Everything else was just a statement but I'm being pedantic. Also, why don't you try telling us some of the brilliant things you do for charity before giving out to us for not doing enough?

aidan_walsh

AlmightyCushion wrote:

why don't you try telling us some of the brilliant things you do for charity before giving out to us for not doing enough?

IIRC, Spook is himself a Dublin taxi driver, so I suppose he was in the middle of this. Which does seem to make the thread stink a little of self back slapping.

Spook_ie

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Actually going by the thread title and your first post, the only question you asked was.



Everything else was just a statement but I'm being pedantic. Also, why don't you try telling us some of the brilliant things you do for charity before giving out to us for not doing enough?

Maybe the fact that I drive a taxi might if you think long and hard enough give you the slightest inkling, but then it might not.

Spook_ie

aidan_walsh wrote: »

IIRC, Spook is himself a Dublin taxi driver, so I suppose he was in the middle of this. Which does seem to make the thread stink a little of self back slapping.

Not exactly self back slapping, more a case of being fed up of begrudgers who can't accept that a lot/majority of taxi drivers are not conmen,tax fiddlers,drug mules or whatever fits the moment.....

Rob_l

Spook_ie wrote: »

Maybe the fact that I drive a taxi might if you think long and hard enough give you the slightest inkling, but then it might not.

bravo big round of applause this must be the first time anyone has ever done charity work for anyone and to think it was the taxi drivers who have started this trend of a new more giving world

AlmightyCushion

Spook_ie wrote: »

Maybe the fact that I drive a taxi might if you think long and hard enough give you the slightest inkling, but then it might not.

Apologies for not knowing details about your personal life. I know the occupation of pretty much every single member of this forum, you must be one of the ones I missed. Noted though.

Which does seem to make the thread stink a little of self back slapping.

Just a tad.

DonJose

I gave a taxi driver a tip one morning, "Have a shower and brush your teeth before you start work."

Spook_ie

DonJose wrote: »

I gave a taxi driver a tip one morning, "Have a shower and brush your teeth before you start work."

Oh was he a charity case then?

Begrudger Alert!!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Well I think if Spook gave up a days wage to make a childs life happier, just for a short period then I think he deserves a slap in the face...



Nah serious, a big slap on the back for Spook and anyone else who brought happiness to those less fortunate today.

Weldone Spook, seriously.

Rob_l

Im going to shop soon I might leave my change for the charity box what has anyone else bothered to do today

Creature

I recently recycled some homeless people into a healthy meaty soup for the starving children in Africa.

EdgarAllenPoo

Everyday I don't kill a random moron I'm doing my bit for charity by sparing the tax payer having to keep me in jail.
I saw an episode of Becker were he said we should be allowed to cull at least six morons a day and I think that would be a good idea.

Cheeky_gal

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

I taught young Vietnamese orphans to speak english there a few months back...

"My.. name .. is .. Earl!"
"In my country, Earl is a guys name"

Catari Jaguar

Being serious.....

- I taught orphans in one of the biggest slums in Africa for 4 weeks this summer.
- I protest and try my best to highlight animal cruelty, fur trade and shark finning and aid conservation however I can
- I used to sing carols and sell holly badges for the ISPCC at Christmas
- I spent a summer volunteering in the Irish Cancer Society second hand shop in my town
- I organised for the school I teach in to do the MS Readathon this year and Operation Chrismas Child (with the shoe boxes)
- I used to do the Trocaire fast every year in secondary school

I feel better already!

Odysseus

Ran the Sahara Marathon in Feb, you make a 200e donation to the charity, ran Dublin Marathon for a kiddies HIV charity in Kenya.

Capt'n Midnight

knird evol wrote: »

I hope the kids kept a good eye on the meter and the route taken. You can't trust those bast@rds.

Spook_ie wrote:

Taxis drivers give special needs children a grand day out
...
The cavalcade began at Parnell Square before a cheque for 11,500 euro was presented to the drivers on behalf of sponsor Ambrosia in O'Connell St.
...
Ambrosia has sponsored the event - which has been running since 1960 - for the last seven years.

"Once again, Ambrosia is delighted to be the title sponsor of this one of a kind and extremely worthwhile Dublin event," Ambrosia's Cathy Kelly said.

qft.

kelle

Ran the mini-marathon for the Irish Cancer Society, and I've been sponsoring 2 children through World Vision since 1998.

Pigman II

Spook_ie wrote: »

begrudgers who can't accept that a lot/majority of taxi drivers are not conmen,tax fiddlers,drug mules

Most of us know you're not drug mules.

Nightwish

I participate in flag day collections for both the Samaritans and the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. I also organise the assembling of Christmas gift boxes each year for the Samaritans Purse (despite my abhorrence of faith based charity, I think its a great idea). I have yet to exert myself physically for charity, but one day I'll get myself fit enough to do something.

TerrorFirmer

I give ten euro a week to charity. To be honest, it's not much, but it's a damn sight better then nothing and at least it's regular. But then again, I'm a stereotypical poor student, who has rent/bills to pay and all that junk.

It sickens me to see poor boxes mostly full of one, two and five cent joins. I know considering the relative value of our currency in comparison to the third world in mass it helps, but the issue isn't about that, it's more about the outright stingy nature of most people.

but really we're all guilty of being too comfortable. I'm sitting here in a nice house, on a good computer, in a good chair. With my laptop in the other room. If you think about it, I could sell this computer for 5-600 euro and help out how many poor people who struggle for survival let alone comfort? At most to me it's be a slight annoyance having to use my laptop instead. Unwittingly I could be denying the right to life for a good many of people. It's when you really think about it, you realize how selfish we all are. Do we all need high tech computers? Phones? Cars? Large flat screen TVs? Not really. We only have them because we like the excess of living. Whereas millions upon millions are dying because they can't even get basic foodstuffs, water, or even shelter.

Spook_ie

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

qft.

Originally Posted by Spook_ie
Taxis drivers give special needs children a grand day out
...
The cavalcade began at Parnell Square before a cheque for 11,500 euro was presented to the drivers on behalf of sponsor Ambrosia in O'Connell St.
...
Ambrosia has sponsored the event - which has been running since 1960 - for the last seven years.

"Once again, Ambrosia is delighted to be the title sponsor of this one of a kind and extremely worthwhile Dublin event," Ambrosia's Cathy Kelly said.

And a sponsor normaly does what? or are you implying that the taxis all ran their meters and then charged Ambrosia for the fares?

tallaght01

I don't see how the fact that some taxi drivers brought some kids through town collecting cash doesn't mean that fares aren't too high and aren't good value for money. There are still rip-off merchants out there, regardless of what happened today.

Unless Spook is making another point, which I've missed altogether.

The general used to give nice things to the poor in his locality, but I wouldn't trust him not to rip me off :P

WhiteWashMan

wow, talk about defensive. you come on, aggressive (much like dublin taxi driver driving i might add), you put down everyone who has done a bit of charity work, and you make like youre some sort of saint.

give me a break.
what do you want, a slap on the back and medal?

Varkov

Oh too bad, all out of medals.

But seriously, fair play to you for doing a bit of fundraising. But loose the condescending tone and people might be a bit more impressed.

Duiske

Back in '03 I took 10 days unpaid leave to do volunteer work at the Special Olympics World Games. I was not a member of boards back then, but I wonder how many of my 30,000 fellow volunteers thought to start a thread about how great they were ?

I say fair play to anyone who does anything for charity. And to those who do not, thats their business.

and I don't mean threw a few cents change into a box as an afterthought!

and i still throw spare change into those box's, miserable, tight git that I am !!

Jesus Wept

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

I taught young Vietnamese orphans to speak english there a few months back...

God help them.





nah good job.

Fr Dougal

Spook_ie wrote: »

Well, when DID you last do anything for charity and I don't mean threw a few cents change into a box as an afterthought! or are you the type of begrudger that thinks " Feckin Taxi Drivers snarling up the streets again?"

Okay Spook,
You've managed to take a very positive article and turn it into a completely negative discussion, well done. :rolleyes:

Re the event, fair play to the taxi drivers for this annual outing.

Maybe I missed it but did you actually say you were one of the 700?
If so, fair play to you.

Sleepy

Eh, personally I give 4 hours of my time every week to a children's charity. I haven't felt the need to start a thread about it looking for congratulations though. Fair play for doing something but the charity isn't there to be a PR stunt.

_blank_

You are all so great.

TPD

So the taxi drivers got paid? Am I wrong in assuming that the drivers each got a share of the €11500? Its not really volunteering or charity then, youd think one free day wouldn't hurt.

griffdaddy

Back in 6th year i did the sleep out outside the GPO before christmas, cant remember what the final figure we raised was but it was considerable enough. some experience though, you certainly do meet some characters when you sleep on O'Connell Street for 2 days!

arybvtcw0eolkf

TPD wrote: »

So the taxi drivers got paid? Am I wrong in assuming that the drivers each got a share of the €11500? Its not really volunteering or charity then, youd think one free day wouldn't hurt.

jor el

griffdaddy wrote: »

Back in 6th year i did the sleep out outside the GPO before christmas, cant remember what the final figure we raised was but it was considerable enough. some experience though, you certainly do meet some characters when you sleep on O'Connell Street for 2 days!

I saw people doing that one Christmas in Limerick. Looked like something I'd like to do but they looked freezing, it was a really cold Christmas that year. I threw them a couple of quid for their troubles so it wasn't all bad.

I have run some 3 mile races for the IHCPT and Debra Ireland. Not much you might say but I'm a fat lazy bastward, so 3 miles is a lot. I've also walked on fire for People in Need. That was worth it for the experience alone

griffdaddy

jor el wrote: »

I saw people doing that one Christmas in Limerick. Looked like something I'd like to do but they looked freezing, it was a really cold Christmas that year. I threw them a couple of quid for their troubles so it wasn't all bad.

It's pretty hard one of the nights, cause you have to fast for 24 of the 48 hours. It's very rewarding though, especially when some chap comes up at 3 in the morning to tell you how Fr. Peter McVerry and his shelter saved his life and was effectively his dad, and that he's now totally clean, working and enjoying a night out at christmas like everyone else. This guy went and bought a box of nutrigrain bars for the lads and said it was all he could think of to give back, and that at least he knew pretty much none of the money was going to administration or anything. When i get a bit of money, i.e. when i'm no longer a student, i intend to give regularly to this particular charity, it's probably the most hard-working organisation combating homelessness in Dublin.

eldeabroad

3 cheers and a big smiley:D for all you do-gooders, hip hip ho-fckin-ray, let me look and see if I have a big shiny medal to award ye, mother Teresas

griffdaddy

eldeabroad wrote: »

3 cheers and a big smiley:D for all you do-gooders, hip hip ho-fckin-ray, let me look and see if I have a big shiny medal to award ye, mother Teresas

How about ya smoke my pubes, ya sarcastic fúck.

jor el

eldeabroad wrote: »

3 cheers and a big smiley:D for all you do-gooders, hip hip ho-fckin-ray, let me look and see if I have a big shiny medal to award ye, mother Teresas

That's not very charitable.

Spook_ie

tallaght01 wrote: »

I don't see how the fact that some taxi drivers brought some kids through town collecting cash doesn't mean that fares aren't too high and aren't good value for money. There are still rip-off merchants out there, regardless of what happened today.

Unless Spook is making another point, which I've missed altogether.

The general used to give nice things to the poor in his locality, but I wouldn't trust him not to rip me off :P

Well considering that the majority of the thread is about charitable work etc. With the odd insult, pedant etc. I suppose it is to be expected that we have yet another begrudger alert!

AlmightyCushion

griffdaddy wrote: »

Back in 6th year i did the sleep out outside the GPO before christmas, cant remember what the final figure we raised was but it was considerable enough. some experience though, you certainly do meet some characters when you sleep on O'Connell Street for 2 days!

I did something similar last year except it was outside Connelly station and we weren't collecting for charity, we just got kicked out of my friends student accommodation where we were supposed to be staying.

AlmightyCushion

Spook_ie wrote: »

Well considering that the majority of the thread is about charitable work etc. With the odd insult, pedant etc. I suppose it is to be expected that we have yet another begrudger alert!

How does complaining about prices make him a begrudger?

tallaght01

I don't even know what a begrudger is in that context. What exactly is it that I'm begrudging you?

FlutterinBantam

Whilst visiting the Iveagh Hostel recently on a fact finding tour I unloaded a growler in the jacks of a fcukin porridgy consistency and planted a 10 Euro note deep into her.

Checked later and the growler was still intact but the note was gone!!!!

Now thats charity for you!!!

Spook_ie

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

How does complaining about prices make him a begrudger?

Because the thread isn't about taxi fares ( which are set by an approved body, not the drivers! ) So anyone who wants to 1st line bring in something negative ( also very off topic ) is a begrudger of some kind..

1. To envy the possession or enjoyment of: She begrudged him his youth. See Synonyms at envy.
2. To give or expend with reluctance: begrudged every penny spent. ( fits exactly!)

Slow Motion

Spook_ie wrote: »

Well considering that the majority of the thread is about charitable work etc. With the odd insult, pedant etc. I suppose it is to be expected that we have yet another begrudger alert!

Defensive would we !

You seem to be useing this act of charity to have a go at everybody who has ever had a gripe with taxi drivers, while indulging in a bit of self promotion. You did a good deed fair play, have I ever done any good deeds ? Yes I can think of several. What were they ? Never mind I know what I did and don't need the approbration of the internet, I also have no wish to ask anybody else what they have done. Help/don't help it's up to you but their is no need to make a song and dance about it or to provoke others.