SALLY O’Connor, proprietor of the Spitfire Cafe in Main Road, Biggin Hill, hosted a delegation of veterans and Chelsea pensioners in a VIP marquee at Saturday’s Festival of Flight event.

“They started coming at 9.30am so it was all go to get the tea urns running,” said Sally, who celebrated her birthday on the day.

“I didn’t really get to see any of the show - I just watched the veterans having a good time. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friend Jo Parker.”

Sally’s guests - including Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader - were entertained with a singer and given packed lunches of filled rolls, pork pies and cheese and biscuits.

They were transported to the event by London cabbies who gave up their time to support the Taxi Charity For Military Veterans.

Sally and her customers have raised £1,938 for the charity - an amount that will be boosted by a further £1,000 donation from Barclays in Biggin Hill. She thanked all the local businesses that donated prizes for a raffle, including Peter Monk of the Heritage Hangar, Allan White of Allan White Properties and Patrick Sheehan of HS Walsh & Sons Ltd.

By Luke King Biggin Hill News