Bailiff awards islander for "betterment of humanity"

Friday 17 May 2024

The Executive Director of Jersey Overseas Aid has been awarded the prestigious Bailiff’s Silver Seal for his contribution to the island's community.

Simon Boas, who has terminal cancer, received the award yesterday at a small private event with his wife Aurelie.

The Bailiff’s Silver Seal is given to those who have made a special contribution to the island, with previous recipients including the pair behind the 1998 Friendship Agreement with Madeira, Mike Wavell and Gonçalo dos Santos, and the late broadcaster and journalist Gary Burgess.

Pictured: Simon Boas received the rare award yesterday at a small private event in his garden.

Mr Boas' volunteer positions include serving as a Constable’s Officer for his home parish of Trinity, the volunteer chair of Jersey Heritage Trust, and as a Samaritan since 2019.

Since his cancer diagnosis, he has documented the final months of his life in a series of honest and emotional articles which have been shared across the globe.

Mr Boas' writings have received widespread praise, including from many cancer patients, for offering words of comfort during the most difficult of times.

The citation on his award reads: “The Bailiff’s Silver Seal is awarded to Simon Boas 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.

“In particular, during a time of great personal challenge, he has continued to offer support and comfort to those in need, both through his internationally recognised work and that of the voluntary positions that he holds.

“Furthermore, the words he has shared with us all, reflecting on the beauty and wonder of life, have inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world.”

Pictured: Simon Boas (centre) with wife Aurelie and the Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq.

The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq said: “I am delighted to be awarding Simon with the Bailiff’s Silver Seal by way of recognition for the contribution he has made to the island.

"Simon has shown incredible strength at a time of personal challenge and his recent writings have provided many with great comfort and a sense of pride for the island he now calls home.

"The reflections on life he has shared with us since his diagnosis have inspired people around the world and the work he continues to do to the benefit of so many within the community and overseas, even at this difficult time, is to be greatly admired.”

Pictured: The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq said he was "delighted" to award the Bailiff’s Silver Seal to Mr Boas.

Mr Boas added: “I’m so delighted to be honoured with this marvellous award.

"Not only does it recognise the superb organisations with which I’ve been so privileged to work and volunteer, but on a personal level it cements that wonderful feeling of acceptance and welcome which Aurelie and I have always felt in Jersey.

"It has been such a pleasure to have made this special island our home over the past eight years, and a pleasure to have found ways of getting involved in the extraordinary generosity which runs through the veins of Jersey people.

"It may not have been part of the plan that I should die here, but I can’t think of a better soil in which to rest.”