Simon's Last Wish

Simon Cowell, our founder, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer that is terminal. Simon has dedicated his life to giving wild animals a second chance. Now, he needs YOUR help to ensure the charity can continue.

Story

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, here.

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 on 9th June after a brave battle with cancer. His loss will be greatly felt by his loved ones and the environmental community, far and wide.

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. 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 £600,000 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.

Over the past 40 years, hundreds of thousands of animals lives have been saved, thanks to the Wildlife Aid Foundation. Its an extraordinary legacy that Simon has given us, and I think its up to all of us who respect, revere, understand and believe in the importance of wildlife, to pick up the challenge he has given us and continue his work. - Stephen Fry

I remember the first day Simon and I met; I just thought this is absolutely fantastic! - Noel Fitzpatrick

Simon Cowells wonderful work, the Wildlife Aid Foundation With so many threats to wildlife in this country, the Wildlife Aid Foundation has become more and more vital and important. - Emma Thompson & Greg Wise