Truly support
independent journalism
Our mission is to provide unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds the powerful to account and exposes the truth.
Whether it's $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us in offering journalism without agenda.
An “inspirational” aid worker who wrote about how he coped with terminal cancer has died just hours before he was due to meet King Charles.
Simon Boas, Chief Executive of Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), was due to meet the King and Queen Camilla this week during their official visit to Jersey.
A statement from JOA president Carolyn Labey said Boas, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in September, died peacefully in Jersey surrounded by his family, aged 47.
The King sent the personal note to Mr Boas last week, shortly after the aid worker was moved to a hospice when his health deteriorated.
He died on Monday, just hours before the royal couple were due to arrive in St Helier for a two-day visit to the Channel Islands. He had been due to join them at a tea party on Monday.
“Simon was an inspiration and a larger-than-life character who impacted thousands of lives here in Jersey, as well as millions around the world,” Labey said in the statement.
When her condition worsened just days before the royal visit, the King sent her a personal letter telling her she had been an inspiration to him.
Mr Boas was a director of JOA for eight years, having joined the charity after a career in international development.
JOA said that during his time at the organization, Mr. Boas helped transform the agency into the “agile and respected international aid agency it is today.”
After being diagnosed with throat cancer late last year, Mr. Boas wrote a book about his illness called Beginner's Guide to Deathto be published later this year.
“While we all mourn Simon’s passing, the commissioners and dedicated JOA staff alike find solace in the privilege of having worked alongside him and the honor of sharing part of his journey with him,” Labey said.
“His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched with his kindness, compassion, sense of humor and love of life.”
Jersey's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Financial Services, Ian Gorst, said Boas was the “most capable public servant” he had ever worked with.
In an article about X, Mr Gorst said: “He was smart, humble and kind. He loved Jersey and he loved life.
“Simon's untimely death is a tragedy. He will be greatly missed by all.”
On Monday, the royal family toured the Jersey Expo Event at Weighbridge Place in St Helier, an exhibition created to celebrate local agriculture, aquaculture and environmental initiatives.
The King and Queen travelled to Jersey on Monday as part of their first visit to the Channel Islands, which are Crown dependencies off the north-west coast of France, since the King acceded to the throne.
They will travel to Guernsey on Tuesday, where they will attend a special session of the States of Deliberation and an ancient ceremony to honour the monarch, which will be held outdoors on the seafront at St Peter Port, where islanders will be able to witness the events.
