Our founder

Wildlife Aid was started more than 20 years ago, and Simon Cowell, the co-founder, still leads the charity, both in a very practical hands on way, as well as holding the position of managing trustee. When he's not actively fundraising, Simon still goes out in the middle of the night on rescues and is actively involved in the care of the animals at the centre. His leadership of the charity has enabled it to grow into one of the largest wildlife centres in the country. Here, he discusses why Wildlife Aid and organizations like it, are important, not to him, but to future generations and the health of our planet.

 ‘Why Wildlife Aid? Why does it matter? The answer, I believe, is because we have a duty to do our best – a duty to ourselves and to all those future generations as yet unborn – so when they are, they are able to live in a world that they are able to enjoy. In time, they will become the guardians of our planet, but we must ensure that we leave the earth in the best possible health, for them to protect for those that come after them.

Not everyone can do it all – I wish we could. But at least I can do ‘my bit’ and that can only work because of a huge network of help and support that then follows my own personal belief - it is a chain reaction. Everyone in the chain can and does make a difference – no matter how small each individual piece of ‘difference’ is, taken together, the sum is far greater than the parts of the equation. I well appreciate that not everyone has the time or is geographically suited to help us by volunteering, but every person can help by becoming members, by donating money, by leaving us legacies and so much more. The more donations we receive, the more we can do - it really is as simple as that. Who is responsible for protecting what we have now? The answer is - all of us individually, from central government to children old enough to say the word ‘badger’. And yes, we can, if we really want to, make a difference.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that, in years to come, one day we all wake up, open our backdoors and look and listen and then see…. What? Nothing but the noise of industrial sounds – no birds, no animals and possibly no green countryside at all.

Does it matter? The world’s been evolving for millions of years, species come and species go. Does it matter? I think so – we have the duty, the responsibility to do our best. We may not, individually be able to dramatically change the world (but then again, we might) but at least we can say to our children that we did our best.

We cannot overlook our own wildlife, just because it is on our backdoor. It needs our help now and together we can ensure that the wonderful diversity of our natural species are protected for all.

Nothing can be as important as keeping our world in balance – if the world fails then all our other worries will be totally pointless – if man wants to keep forging ahead he must learn to keep the balance and give something back. That’s what Wildlife Aid is all about.'

Simon Cowell - Wildlife Champion

Simon Cowell MBE, Director of the Leatherhead-based charity Wildlife Aid, is a leading champion of wildlife and the natural environment.

Wildlife Campaigner

Born in Epsom, Surrey , and educated at the City of London Freemen 's School in Ashtead, Simon Cowell worked as a commodity broker in the City before rejecting the commercial world in favour of working with animals. He founded Wildlife Aid in 1980.

Originally a small rescue centre serving just the local area, Wildlife Aid is now one of Britain 's leading environmental charities, dedicated to "actively caring for sick, injured and orphaned British wildlife".

Its Leatherhead base has one of Britain 's largest wildlife rehabilitation centres, and provides a helpline and referral service for other wildlife hospitals Europe-wide. Celebrity patrons of Wildlife Aid include Chris Tarrant, Julie Walters and Jenny Seagrove.

TV Presenter

In 1996 Simon and the team of vets and rescuers were asked to feature in a series called ‘Wildlife SOS', but no sooner had the TV crew arrived when they were " driving everybody nuts", "getting in the way and causing chaos" , so Simon, in his infinite wisdom, told them to “ go away ” (or two such similar words). As the broadcasters still wanted the series he said " Ok, we'll film it ourselves then! ' And they did. Now, some eight years later the series - which he both presents and produces - is still going strong. It has been shown on ITV, Meridian , Channel 5 and The Discovery Channel.

Because of this he has appeared on numerous chat shows and, being no stranger to voice over work, has even hosted a local radio show “Eco Hour” for two years– his passion for environmental issues, obviously including all wildlife, has made him one of the country's leading authorities on the subject.

The series has had more than its fair share of out-takes ( never work with children or… etc ) on many occasions, most of which have found their way on to the television (excluding the numerous swear words). “ Being bitten by badgers, kicked by deer and ‘taloned' by owls is all in a days work, but it still REALLY hurts!” he jokes.

In 2003 Simon was named “ Personality of the Year” by the Charity Times, and i n June 2005 Simon was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, for his services to wildlife. He is also a Freeman of the City of London .

Simon is available for after dinner speeches and as an expert source for wildlife and eocology related issues.

http://www.simon-cowell.org.uk 

His contact details are: