Simon Boas
British aid worker (1977–2024)

Simon Boas
Boas in June 2024
Born(1977-07-06)6 July 1977
London
Died15 July 2024(2024-07-15) (aged 47)
Jersey
Cause of deathCancer
Education
OccupationAid worker
Years active2004 – 2024
EmployerJersey Overseas Aid
Board member ofJersey Heritage
SpouseAurélie Veyret (m. 2010)[1]

Simon Charles Boas (6 July 1977 – 15 July 2024) was a British aid worker who worked for development charities and the United Nations (UN). His writings about his terminal illness diagnosis—widely described as inspirational—were featured in British national newspapers and on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.[2]

He delivered humanitarian aid to a refugee camp as a teenager and later earned a master's degree in international policy analysis. His early career took him across the Middle East and South Asia, first as a tour guide and then as a development professional working with international NGOs and the United Nations.

Over two decades, Boas held senior roles in humanitarian and development projects, including with the Palestinian Authority and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization in Gaza and Nepal. In 2016, he became executive director of Jersey Overseas Aid, while serving as a Samaritans volunteer, honorary police officer, and chair of Jersey Heritage.

In 2023, Boas was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer. His candid essays[3] on mortality, later collected in A Beginner's Guide to Dying, explored illness, acceptance, and meaning. Shortly before his death in July 2024, he received the Bailiff of Jersey's silver seal for his service to others, and posthumously the Pride of Jersey's Gary Burgess Award.

Early life and education

He grew up in London where he attended Dulwich College Preparatory School, before moving to Winchester where he won a scholarship for his secondary education at Winchester College, an all-boys boarding school.[4] His father was a businessman, and his mother was a book editor who also worked for Citizens Advice.[5] Both volunteer for the homelessness charity Shelter and their local food bank.[6]

Boas volunteered at a night shelter while at school.[7] At the age of 16 he delivered his first humanitarian aid convoy to a refugee camp near Mostar in Bosnia with a church group, encountering mass graves and bombed out villages.[4] During a gap year he lived in Cambodia and Vietnam.[1]

He studied English at Brasenose College, Oxford,[5] but a car accident meant he did not sit his final exams.[4] In 2006–7 he studied for a master's degree in international policy analysis at the University of Bath.[7]

Career

After university, Boas worked as a tour guide in Egypt, Turkey and India.[6] In 2004 he went on to work for the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS).[1] In 2008 he worked in Ramallah for a year as special adviser to the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation for the Palestinian National Authority,[7] including helping develop the reconstruction plan for Gaza after the war in 2008–2009.[1] During this time he learned Arabic at Birzeit University[1] and met his French future wife Aurélie—an intern with a Palestinian news agency studying for a masters in journalism[7]—when he helped her onto a crowded bus from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.[8] She described him as "a tall English gentleman in a Panama, reading The Economist".[9] In March 2009 he became country director for Palestine at PlaNet Finance, a Paris-based NGO.

After their marriage, the couple lived in the Gaza Strip[1] from 2010 to 2012 where he was head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization office.[4] In November 2012, they moved to Nepal where he worked for the same organisation as coordinator of its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases.[10]

In October 2014 they returned to the UK and he began work for the Government, where he was seconded to several organisations including HM Revenue & Customs and the Government of Jersey. They moved permanently to Jersey in 2016[11] where he was executive director of Jersey's overseas aid agency from that October until his death in 2024.[12]

During their time in Jersey, Boas and his wife volunteered for the Honorary Police in their home parish of Trinity, which entailed being called out to deal with incidents like dangerous overhanging branches and loose horses, but he never made any arrests.[13] He became a Samaritans volunteer in 2019, manning a crisis hotline. He was a trustee of Jersey Heritage from 2020 and became chairman in 2023.[11][14]

Cancer diagnosis

A heavy smoker, Boas estimated that he had smoked around 200,000 cigarettes[15] over 30 years and described a few periods of his drinking as "fairly Churchillian".[16] In September 2023, when he was aged 46, Boas wrote an article in the Jersey Evening Post where he announced that lumps in his neck and difficulty swallowing had been diagnosed as terminal throat cancer. Despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Southampton General Hospital,[17] the squamous-cell carcinoma[16] spread to his lungs, liver, spine, pelvis, sternum and soft tissues.[4]

The newspaper published the second of three articles about his diagnosis and approach to life on 11 February 2024,[18] and it was subsequently reprinted in The Spectator,[19] The Daily Telegraph[6] and the Daily Mail.[20] He also read it on the BBC Radio 4 programme Broadcasting House.[21]

His third and final article was published on 13 May 2024.[17] People from all over the world contacted him, including celebrants and priests who wanted permission to read parts of the letters at weddings or in sermons.[13]

In May 2024 he was awarded the Bailiff of Jersey's silver seal "for his contribution to the Island through service to the community and to the betterment of humanity through both his work in Jersey Overseas Aid and by his writings".[22] On 6 July he moved into Jersey Hospice Care.[13] During his last days, he was due to meet Charles III and Queen Camilla at a tea party during their visit to the island,[23] but as his condition had worsened, instead the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey delivered a hand-written[9] letter from them which said how moved they had been by his charitable work and courage.[24]

He died at the hospice on 15 July 2024,[25] the day of the royal visit.[26]

A Beginner's Guide to Dying

His book, A Beginner's Guide to Dying (ISBN 978-1-80-075503-1), became the second-best seller on Amazon.co.uk through pre-orders[13] before being published posthumously in hardback by Swift Press on 12 September 2024.[27] He also narrated an audiobook version.[28]

The first section of the book includes copies of the Jersey Evening Post articles. A section entitled 'Death and Equanimity' includes his thoughts on meditation, gratitude, God and religion, counselling, others' grief, psychedelics – in which he advocates use of psilocybin – miracle cures, hope and acceptance, thinking about death, optimism, regrets and bucket lists. The final section gives his advice on interacting with the dying.[29]

Reviewing the book for The Guardian, Alex Preston wrote that "you're struck repeatedly by the terrible juxtaposition of the rush of erudition from this fantastically bright mind still thrumming with life and wit, and the silence of the end, which is so near." He added, "There are wonderful vignettes, beautiful meditations on faith and friendship, advice for the dying and those around them."[30]

It was announced that some of the proceeds would be donated to the International Children's Palliative Care Network and African Palliative Care Association.[31] It became a bestseller in the first week of sales, and all 20,000 copies in the initial print run sold within the first month. The book was due to be published in seven other countries including Germany, Japan, Latvia and Taiwan.[32]

Legacy

At the 2024 Pride of Jersey Awards, Boas was posthumously awarded the Gary Burgess award, which was established in memory of a Jersey journalist who died of cancer in 2022 "to recognise islanders who stand out as beacons of the community and for bringing people together in times of adversity".[33]

In November 2024, Jersey Finance renamed one of its Sustainable Finance Awards the "Simon Boas Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution".[34] He had previously been a member of the judging panel. The award was presented for the first time in 2025 by his widow.[35]

Emma Barnett's interview with him for BBC Radio 4's Today programme was selected as "Interview of the Year 2024".[36][37]

Bibliography

  • Cyclists are Cunts: A Poem (16 April 2024; ISBN 979-8-32-300354-9)[1][38][18]
  • A Beginner's Guide to Dying (12 September 2024, Swift Press; ISBN 9781800755031 / 15 July 2025, Vintage Books; ISBN 9798217007745)
    Polish translation: Poradnik umierania dla początkujących (12 March 2025, Agora; ISBN 978-8383801612)
    Latvian translation: Miršanas ceļvedis iesācējam (1 August 2025, Zvaigzne ABC; ISBN 9789934332777)
    Italian translation: Morire. Istruzioni per l'uso (29 August 2025, Garzanti; ISBN 9788811016861)
    German translation: Was dicke Bücher und grüne Bananen mit dem Tod zu tun haben: … und andere Dinge, die ich über Leben und Sterben gelernt habe (10 September 2025, Mosaik Verlag; ISBN 978-3442394555)
    Chinese translation: 我47歲就要死了,但很平靜滿足 : 一個癌末男子如何知足,樂觀面對生命的結束 (2024, True Culture Publishing; ISBN 9786269899623)
    Lithuanian translation: PRADEDANČIOJO GIDAS Į MIRTĮ: bestseleriu tapusi meditacija apie gyvenimą ir jo pabaigą (2025, Abulys; ISBN 9786094849077)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Simon Boas obituary: aid worker who wrote about his cancer diagnosis". The Times. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  2. ^ Boas, Simon. "Simon Boas, aid worker: I'm as happy as I've been in my life". BBC News (Interview). Interviewed by Emma Barnett. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  3. ^ "'Inspirational' Jersey humanitarian Simon Boas dies following terminal cancer diagnosis". ITV News. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e Boas, Simon (7 September 2024). "Simon Boas's final interview: 'Death is what makes us human'". The Times (Interview). Interviewed by Rosamund Urwin. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b Ogbuehi, Aaron (17 July 2024). "Simon Boas Passes Away at 47". Dulwich Prep & Senior. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Simon Boas, aid worker whose reflections on death found an appreciative audience". The Daily Telegraph. 15 July 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Carpenter, Louise (17 April 2024). "Simon Boas: How I learned to accept my death". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  8. ^ Boas, Aurélie (14 September 2024). "Aurelie Boas interview: I can't let Simon's death be a sad story. I want it to give a sense of direction to my life". The Daily Telegraph. Interviewed by Louise Carpenter. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b Boas, Aurélie (22 September 2024). "I can be mad at Simon for leaving me too soon". The Times (Interview). Interviewed by Helen Rumbelow. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Final Report - The Seventh Annual Regional Meeting" (PDF). Bangkok, Thailand: Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases. 2013. p. 16.
  11. ^ a b "Funeral in Jersey for 'inspirational' aid worker Simon Boas". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Simon Boas". Swift Press. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d Urwin, Rosamund (6 July 2024). "I'm dying at 47 — but I'm accepting, ready and almost curious". The Times. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  14. ^ McLoughlin, Rod (13 February 2023). "Overseas Aid director becomes new Jersey Heritage chairman". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  15. ^ Morrison, Blake (6 November 2024). "A Beginner's Guide to Dying by Simon Boas review – what makes life worth living?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  16. ^ a b Boas, Simon (11 September 2023). "'Like it or not, I HAVE to go to the South Pole' – Jersey Overseas Aid executive director Simon Boas speaks about life-changing diagnosis". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  17. ^ a b Boas, Simon (13 May 2024). "Simon Boas: 'I'd hoped that some last-ditch immunotherapy might buy a little extra time, but my cancer hasn't co-operated'". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  18. ^ a b Boas, Simon (11 February 2024). "I'm sorry to have to announce that my cancer situation has developed not necessarily to my advantage". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  19. ^ Boas, Simon (19 February 2024). "An optimist's guide to dying". The Spectator.
  20. ^ McLoughlin, Rod (13 September 2024). "Simon Boas' 'inspirational' book A Beginner's Guide to Dying is published posthumously". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  21. ^ McCann, Nuala (13 April 2024). "Radio review: Life is precious – never forget it". The Irish News. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  22. ^ Heath, Richard (17 May 2024). "Prestigious award for 'inspirational' Islander who shared cancer story". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  23. ^ Ahmed, Jabed (16 July 2024). "Aid worker Simon Boas dies of cancer just hours before he was due to meet the King". The Independent. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  24. ^ Young, Lisa (12 July 2024). "Simon Boas: King writes letter to Jersey Overseas Aid worker". BBC News. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Simon Boas, whose words on love and life touched millions, passes away". Jersey Evening Post. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  26. ^ Ward, Victoria (15 July 2024). "Cancer sufferer who deeply moved King dies hours before pair due to meet". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  27. ^ Thorpe, George (15 July 2024). "Simon Boas: 'Inspirational' Jersey aid worker dies aged 47". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 August 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  28. ^ Boas, Simon. "A Beginner's Guide to Dying". Audible.
  29. ^ Boas, Simon (12 September 2024). A Beginner's Guide to Dying. Swift Press. pp. vii–viii. ISBN 9781800755031.
  30. ^ Preston, Alex (22 September 2024). "A Beginner's Guide to Dying by Simon Boas review – an extraordinary book". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  31. ^ Palfreman, Mike (24 September 2024). "Simon Boas – an Inspirational Human Being". ehospice. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  32. ^ John, Charley-Kai (15 October 2024). "Inspirational Islander's book sells out". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  33. ^ "An emotional celebration of 'the very best in people'". Jersey Evening Post. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Nominate Now! The Jersey Sustainable Finance Awards | News". Jersey Finance. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  35. ^ Boas, Aurelie. "Very moved and himbled to give the award to such a deserving winner…". LinkedIn. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  36. ^ @BBCR4Feedback (26 December 2024). "Here's the moment @acatherwoodnews announced the winner of the @BBCR4Feedback Interview of the Year 2024 - @Emmabarnett's interview with aid worker Simon Boas. Congratulations Emma, and thank you to our panel of listener judges for taking part in this year's voting" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Martin, Roy (28 December 2024). "Emma Barnett interview tops BBC Radio 4's Feedback listener's poll". Radio Today. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  38. ^ Boas, Simon. "Cyclists are Cunts: A Poem". Cyclists are Cunts: A Poem. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  • Catherwood, Andrea (11 July 2024). Election Coverage on Audio, Dotun Adebayo - Up All Night, Simon Boas interview on Today. BBC Sounds.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Simon_Boas&oldid=1330846451"