Taxi Charity ambassador and Dutch advisor, Frans Ammerlaan, has been awarded an Honorary MBE by King Charles for services to commemorations and to British World War II veterans.
Frans Ammerlaan has had a long association with our veterans. He has a great interest in Operation Market Garden, an Allied military operation during the Second World War fought in the German-occupied Netherlands from 17 to 25 September 1944, and founded the Market Garden Foundation.
From his home in the Netherlands, Frans Ammerlaan has been working with the Taxi Charity since 2010. His advice and involvement in organising the charity's trips to the Netherlands for Dutch Liberation commemorations each May, and for Wandeltocht and Operation Market Garden each September since 2012 has been invaluable, and in 2023 he became a Taxi Charity ambassador.
Frans was advised of his Honorary MBE by His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joanna Roper GMG.
Joanna Roper said: "I am delighted that Frans Ammerlaan has been awarded an Honorary MBE by His Majesty King Charles III, in recognition of his support to the veterans of Operation Market Garden that took place 80 years ago. We must remember the sacrifices that were made in the name of peace and liberty. Frans’ long service to the veterans of the Battle of Arnhem helps to ensure that those sacrifices are not forgotten."
Taxi Charity Honorary Secretary, Dick Goodwin, who works closely with Frans Ammerlaan to plan trips for veterans to the Netherlands, said: "What fantastic news it is for Frans to be awarded an MBE for services to commemorations and World War II veterans. Frans has worked so hard for our veterans and it is down his enthusiasm, dedication and tireless efforts that our trips to the Netherlands since 2012 have been possible. Everyone at the charity is delighted and we are looking forward to celebrating his Honorary MBE when we visit the Netherlands in May for Dutch Liberation."
Geoff Roberts, a veteran of Operation Market Garden, said: "I am absolutely delighted that my great friend Frans Ammerlaan, who has done so much to support and remember those of us who participated in Operation Market Garden, has been made an MBE."
To find out more about the Market Garden Foundation, visit www.marketgarden.com/2010/UK/foundation.html.
About the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans
The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. It is the only Forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment and arranges free trips (for veterans from all conflicts) to the Netherlands and France for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or social events across the UK.
The charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, a remarkable milestone for a small, niche charity peopled by enthusiastic volunteers. In 2024, if funding allows, they will be taking a group of WWII veterans to Normandy for the 80thanniversary of D-Day.
To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is wholly reliant on donations, grants and sponsorship.
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