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24

Dec 2021

Last Updated: 24/12/2021
Business
Business

Working on Christmas Day: Harrogate taxi driver

by Connor Creaghan

| 24 Dec, 2021
Comment

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Kevin O'Boyle, who owns Central Taxis in Harrogate, drives NHS workers around on Christmas Day, when public transport stops. He has worked every Christmas Day except three in the last 56 years.

working-on-christmas-day-taxi
Kevin O'Boyle is the owner of Central Taxis.

Not all heroes wear capes, and while most of us are tucking into our turkey spare a thought for those who are still working on Christmas Day.

Kevin O'Boyle, the owner of Central Taxis in Harrogate, says he has worked every Christmas Day except three in the last 56 years.

Mr O'Boyle may therefore appear more likely to wear a Grinch outfit than a Santa hat on the big day, but he certainly has that special Christmas spirit inside.

He is semi-retired but always steps up to the plate when needed. And he is rarely more needed than on Christmas Day.

Central Taxis has a contract with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust as well as Yorkshire Ambulance Service.




Read more:



  • North Yorkshire is week behind London’s covid surge, health official warns

  • ‘Terrifying but rewarding’: Harrogate home carer reflects on another covid year






So when public transport stops on Christmas Day, NHS staff turn to taxis to get them to work. Mr O'Boyle told the Stray Ferret:

"There are quite a number of NHS staff who rely on public transport so when that stops they turn to us for help.
"Not only do we take NHS staff to work but we also do other vital work. Like last Christmas, I was picking up drugs for the hospital from Manchester."


He may have regrets about missing Christmas with his four children but Mr O'Boyle feels a sense of duty to the NHS so he is willing to make the sacrifice.

So when you are celebrating tomorrow spare a thought for those in the Harrogate district who are working.