Simon Cowell MBE (not that one, though he did say his name got him restaurant reservations) died due to aggressive cancer in June 2024. His organisation Wildlife Aid (Surrey) has rescued hundreds of thousands of animals, and operates an emergency national helpline.
Read more on how to help your local wildlife rescue.
In his book My Wild Life he writes of how he began to rescue wildlife in his garden, to distract from stress as a city broker (he made pot-loads of money, but blacked out from stress and was sacked). He said this was the best thing to ever happen to him, as it was when he founded the charity.
This outspoken man (charity patron Ricky Gervais called him ‘David Attenborough with Tourettes’) was not a fan of wildlife documentaries that approach animals, just for entertainment. He believed that animals should always be left alone, unless they need help.
He himself was bitten by hedgehogs, gored by deer (one antler missed his jugular by around an inch) and one owl even sunk his talons into Simon’s scalp. But he knew they were doing this as they were scared, and believed that ‘celebrity wildlife documentaries’ do more harm than good. And as for caged animals – he wrote ‘Don’t get me started on zoos, because I hate them with a vengeance’.
Back home, Simon realised nearly all wildlife casualties are due to issues from humans (netting, lead shot, litter, road accidents etc). When dying from cancer (his daughter continues his work), he wished to leave a legacy: The Wildlife Aid Centre will be 20 acres of wetland habitat, a visitor centre and wildlife hospital (on an ecologically impoverished site, next to London’s M25).
The centre will create habitats and ponds for wildlife, along with secure buildings, garages and a workshop. There will be a Community Hub for visitors to engage with nature, and mature trees, hedges, shrublands and woodlands, to provide vital habitats for wildlife (and food like flowers and berries). Two orchards are planned to provide more natural food for local animals. Sponsorship opportunities from companies are welcome.
You can donate at Just Giving to reach the target of £4 million (it will cost over £12 million to build long-term but work can start soon as the Wildlife Aid Foundation has contributed some costs). Or select ‘Wildlife Aid Foundation’ at Charities Aid Foundation and tick the box, to donate anonymously. Either way, tick the Gift Aid Box so the charity can claim back tax.
Of course the best way to help any wildlife rescue is simply for all of us to live simple sustainable lives, so they have less work to do. Leave wildlife alone, garden organically and don’t drop litter. Simon asks us to all do ‘just one thing’. Pick up a rubber band or a piece of glass. Together this would amount to 29 billion actions alone across the UK.
