Mr Ahmed, a father of two, died in St George s Hospital in Tooting on Thursday.
ng from coronavirus. ugh he is reported to have had underlying health problems his death is being blamed on complications aris-
lthough he is reported to have had underlying health problems his death is being blamed on complications aris- om coronavirus.
COVID-19: DEATHS
CONVOY OF TAXI DRIVERS TURN OUT TO SAY FINAL FAREWELL TO PETERLEE CABBIE WHO DIED OF COVID-19
A convoy of taxi drivers turned out to pay their final respects to a popu- lar Peterlee cabbie who died of coron- avirus. ChronicleLive re- ports that Ian Ridley, 55, was a taxi driver in the County Durham area and drove with Chevron Taxis for around 15 years, with stints at Blueline and 24/7 Sadly, Ian died of coronavirus on April
15, with loved ones saying their final goodbyes on Tues- day 28 April. In emotional scenes, around 180 drivers could be seen stand- ing on the side of the street clapping before following in a convoy to Durham Crematorium. Clair Hampton, who is the manager of Chevron Taxis, said: “He worked for Chevron for about 15 years and left to go
Ian Ridley
and deliver cars. He then came back to the taxi world and worked for different companies. “He was a massive, massive part of the Chevron family. “He had a big heart. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was never miser- able and no one had a bad word to say about him. There are not a lot of people who can go through life and say that.
“He was just an awe- some man.” Ian was a loving hus- band to Margaret, who he married two years ago, and dad to David and Katie. Clair added: “When he married Margaret, he said she had made him complete. He had been a single dad for years and years.”
Clair said the convoy of taxi drivers who turned out to say goodbye showed
what an awe- some man Ian was. She added: “It makes me proud to be part of the taxi communi- ty. It broke my heart and it was so emo- tional. “He was a popular Peterlee man, just lovely.” A fundraising cam- paign to help Margaret after Ian's death raised more than £4,000, smash- ing the £2,000 target set.
GLASGOWTAXI DRIVERS DIE FROM COVID-19 AS SAFETY CONCERNS RAISED OVER INFECTION FEARS
Scottish taxi drivers are being urged to stay safe after sever- al Glasgow cabbies have become “very ill” with Covid-19. According to the Daily Record, a statement by the Glasgow Taxi Own- ers’ Association said: “We are in utter shock after hearing that there are several Glasgow cabbies very ill at the moment with the Covid-19 virus. “Sadly more than one have now pas- sed away. Glasgow cabbies are a close knit community and this is absolutely heartbreaking and
frightening. “We would like to send strength and best wishes to those trying to get well. “To the drivers that have lost their lives we are so very sorry and would like to pass
on our
thoughts and pray- ers to their loved ones. Please try to stay safe, fellow cab- bies.” Concerns have also been raised by the Scottish Taxi Federa- tion which believes their members are having to
choose
between feeding their families or stay- ing safe at home. Jim Kyle, chairman
afraid that they’ve not got that right, partic- ularly in the taxi trade.” Mr Kyle also said that government relief efforts for the self- employed do not work for the maj- ority of taxi
of the Federation, said: “The drivers are in a very difficult sit- uation where they want to keep them- selves and their pas- sengers safe
but
they’ve got to work. “They are faced with an ultimatum - don’t
pay your bills or feed your family; or go out and take the chance. “The government has been very strong in saying stay at home,
social dis-
tance and no one will suffer but I’m
drivers. He added: “They have said they will give you 80 per cent of your profits back but they have to be more than 50 per cent of your annual turnover. If you’re earning £30,000 a year, the
chances are your overheads are going to be around £18,000 which is why some drivers are having to work 70 to 80 hours a week. “If you’re sitting in a taxi for 70 hours during this coron- avirus pandemic, picking various peo- ple up, then by the law of averages, you’re going to get it at some point in time. “A taxi is a breeding ground for coron- avirus and these drivers are literally being forced into putting themselves, their families and others at risk.”
EXTENDS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND WORK COLLEAGUES OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF OUR TRADE WHO HAVE SADLY LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THIS PANDEMIC
44 MAY 2020
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