Peterborough taxi driver wins award after 30 years of helping people
Shafiq Ahmed crowned East of England Taxi Hero for his kindness to passengers and strangers in need
A taxi driver from Peterborough who gave up a fare to help a stranded motorist change a punctured tyre has been named the East of England regional winner of the Acorn Taxi Hero Award.
Shafiq Ahmed beat more than 1,700 other nominees to earn the accolade, which is a reflection of the three-plus decades’ service he has delivered taking care of passengers and helping members of the public, an approach which has often seen him put the needs of others ahead of increasing his own earnings.
Acorn Insurance, the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist, launched the awards to celebrate the unsung heroes of Britain’s taxi industry, celebrating drivers who demonstrate exceptional acts of bravery, kindness and dedication for their passengers and communities, often without receiving any kind of recognition in return.
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Shafiq said he was “delighted” to have been named the East of England Taxi Hero.
“I’ve been driving taxis for more than 30 years, and you meet all sorts of people who sometimes just need a little help.”
One occasion which sums Shafiq’s approach up perfectly is when he noticed a woman stranded with a punctured tyre while he was travelling to collect a passenger.
Rather than drive past, he contacted his office and handed the booking back so another driver could collect the passenger on time. Shafiq then stopped to help the woman change her tyre.
Although he had given up the fare to assist her, he refused the money, choosing instead to help without expecting anything in return.
“When I saw the woman with a punctured tyre, I knew I could lend a hand, so I arranged for another driver to collect my passenger,” he recalled modestly.
Shafiq has worked as a taxi driver for over 30 years, earning a reputation for his considerate approach to passengers and his willingness to help people in need.
According to his nomination, Shafiq – who was described as “one in a million” by judges – has also helped people who were distressed or short of money, ensuring they could make their journeys without hesitation.
“For me, it’s important to look out for people, whether they’re in my taxi or not,” Shafiq explained.
“I’m very grateful for the nomination and proud to receive this recognition. It’s wonderful to see taxi drivers celebrated for the things they do beyond their everyday work.”
Ash Coakley, Head of Taxi Insurance at Acorn Group, said:
“Taxi drivers are often at the heart of their communities, and Shafiq is a brilliant example of the difference they can make beyond their day-to-day work.
He added: “Shafiq’s kindness and thoughtfulness are exactly what the Taxi Hero Awards were created to recognise.”
Shafiq is now in the running for the national title, with the overall winner set to receive a £1,000 Amazon gift card and the inaugural Britain’s Taxi Hero trophy.
The national winner will be announced on Wednesday 11 November 2026.