Extraordinary Tibet Activist – Simon Gould

It is with great sadness that we announce that one of our long term and extraordinary Tibet supporters, Simon Gould, passed away yesterday. We urge all our members and supporters to pray for him.

Most of us reading this would have met Simon – you couldn’t miss him ! Simon was this indefatigable (small yet with Big presence) bearded English man with a ready smile, outside the Chinese Embassy shouting “Free Tibet” ! He was unmissable in his psychedelic jumper, carrying all manner of things Tibetan, including a big Tibetan national flag and a flask of tea on his rickety bicycle.

Arguably the most steadfast Tibet supporter, he was a permanent fixture on Portland Place keeping a vigil for Tibet every Wednesday 6pm -8pm for 20 years, until his health starting failing him in 2009. There is no doubt this Tibet die-hard eccentric man had been a particular eye-sore for the Embassy, refusing to go away even when he was the lone protester, and quite often he was ! He talked about Tibet to everybody he met, handing out leaflets and always ready to share his tea and biscuit with fellow protesters. A painter and decorator by profession, Simon was not just a political activist, he cared about the education of Tibetan refugee children and sponsored two of them. He even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with Climb for Tibet team to raise money for the Tibet Relief Fund. He was 67. Tibet will miss this true friend !

Om Mani Padme Hung !