Good Samaritan taxi-driver rescues Poppy Appeal pensioner stranded in Spilsby

The pensioner, David Mitchell, had an important date at the launch of the Lincolnshire Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, held at the Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby last Saturday morning.

He has been a volunteer helper for the War Widows Association for 47 years, and he was tasked with getting the group’s national standard, which he looks after, to the poppy event.

Although he doesn’t drive because of a polio disability, David thought he’d made the perfect travel arrangements by getting from his home in Lincoln by bus to Spilsby, where he would pick up a Callconnect on-demand service to East Kirkby.

"Unfortunately, due to a long detour and horrendous traffic lights in Horncastle, I missed the marvellous Callconnect bus, which had waited as long as possible for me,” said David. “So I was stranded on the Market Place in Spilsby.”

He doesn’t pwn a mobile phone so, in desperation, he asked around to see if any of the town’s early-morning shoppers knew of a nearby taxi service.

"Some very kind people from Boston Road said their neighbour, Christian Sharp, was a taxi-driver, so they gave him a call.” David went on.

"Christian dashed out, picked me up and got me to the aviation centre with three minutes to spare. What’s more, he wouldn’t take any payment because it was for charity, which was a magnificent gesture.”

Christian, 31, is actually the owner of Central Cars Skegness Ltd and was only too happy to help.

The trip from Splisby to East Kirkby would normally cost about £15, but Christian said: “With things like that, you can’t charge.

"Someone rang me and said they needed a taxi quickly. I was at home at the time and said I’d be there in five minutes.”

Christian lived up to his company’s motto, which is: ‘Always ready, always reliable’.

And David was relieved that the war widows standard was able to be carried in style at the poppy launch by Sergeant Sydney Walker, from the 1265 Air Cadet Squadron in Horncastle.

"She was a huge credit to her unit, as were all the cadets from across the county,” said David. “But many thanks must go to Christian.”