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Simon's last wish
Help continue Simon's legacy and ensure a brighter future for British wildlife.
Important Update
We wish to make you aware of a significant update on Wildlife Aid's future, and our Simon’s Last Wish appeal.
Whilst the original plan was for the charity to relocate to a new centre, those plans have seen the project costs almost treble to an untenable £15m, since they were first conceived.
Simon’s last wish was for the charity to continue as a beacon of hope for our wildlife. In the weeks before he died, Simon spent his time navigating numerous legal hurdles to enable WAF to purchase its current site, its home.
The heart-warming result of this hard work is that our hospital will stay exactly where it all began, and Simon’s wish for WAF to continue and grow will be responsibly realised.
We are now working up the new blueprints to renovate our current hospital, and we look forward to sharing our exciting transformation with you.
You can read the full statement, on the link below.
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Simon Cowell MBE, conservationist, founder and CEO of the Wildlife Aid Foundation, and presenter of Wildlife SOS. Simon passed away peacefully on Sunday (9th June) after a brave battle with cancer, surrounded by his daughters, his partner and his dogs.
His loss will be greatly felt by his loved ones and the environmental community, far and wide.
Our ‘One and Only’ Simon
In July 2022, we shared with you the devastating news that our founder, much-loved wildlife hero, Simon, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In typical Simon fashion, tenacious as ever, he continued to outmanoeuvre the cancer for a further two years, before laying down his WAF baseball cap for the final time on 9th June 2024. Simon leaves two daughters, Louisa and Gemma, his partner Stana, and his two beloved goldies, Toby and Bobby.
When news of Simon’s diagnosis broke, in 2022, we launched ‘Simon’s Last Wish’ appeal, which, thanks to the kind generosity of our supporters, raised over £500,000 towards a new Wildlife Aid Centre. This centre was Simon’s dream, his ambition and his focused mission to build a better world for wildlife. The new Wildlife Aid Centre will allow WAF to care for more animals, and to teach, demonstrate, and inspire the next generation to conserve, and to live alongside, our wildlife.
With Simon’s sad passing, we are now calling on you, our loyal wildlife guardians, to help fulfil Simon’s last wish, and be part of his ever-lasting legacy.
We now need your help more than ever.
A new hope for wildlife
Simon’s wish for WAF has always been to build a new Wildlife Aid Centre, one which will allow us to care for more animals, and to teach, demonstrate, and inspire the next generation to conserve, to live alongside, our wildlife. The proposed new Wildlife Aid Centre will be a new hope for all.
Since we launched Simon’s Last Wish appeal, we have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity we have received. This has allowed us to put in place infrastructure and the habitats.
Will you help us build it?
£4m is a bold target, but we are as determined as ever to raise the required funds to fulfil Simon’s last wish. For everything he has done for wildlife, for all the second chances he has given to animals in need; be they injured, sick, or orphaned, Simon has been there. He has been bitten, beaten, battered, and bruised, and dedicated 40 years of his life to saving wild animals who couldn’t help themselves… Now, we need your help to fulfil Simon's last wish and protect the lives of generations of wildlife to come.
Total amount raised so far: £659,581.13
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. The above is a running total of all donations received specifically for Simon's Last Wish. This is a combination of funds raised through donations, appeals, JustGiving, and partnerships. This total will be updated manually every 24 hours.
We aim to raise £4m to help build a new wildlife hospital to continue Simon's legacy.
Will you be part of our future and help continue Simon’s legacy?
We know times are tough, and our ask is BIG, but, if you can, please give a gift and help create the new Wildlife Aid Centre. Every donation will get us that one step closer to protecting our precious wildlife.
Here are the top THREE things you can do to help make Simon’s Last Wish a reality
- Make a donation, no matter how big or small to our Simon’s Last Wish appeal
- Adopt an animal for friends and family (or yourself)
- Download or stream Wildlife Aid’s cover of ‘The One and Only’, a fitting tribute to our founder, Simon
The One and Only
A supergroup of pop legends from the eighties and nineties have recorded a cover of the Chesney Hawkes’ classic hit ‘The One and Only’ to help raise awareness and vital funds for Simon’s Last Wish.