This Page is full of of our old news stories, please have a scroll through and read about the fundraising events we've done and see some more audio and video on the way down too. We apologize, but to view the videos you'll have to jump on the Broadband bandwagon.
Enjoy!
Simon's Playground
Left: Here’s Simon and Sadia in Logshegu Village, North Ghana, January 2005
At the end of September, Simon’s charity, And Albert Foundation, will be going back to this significant village where we have done much work over the years. It is one of our main bases in the poor and underdeveloped North. (see here>) We have an eco-guest house and compound, a big pottery project making traditional pots and a growing plantation of fruit trees developing the whole horticultural economy of the village for the future, especially for the children like Sadia. It was the young people Simon took to, as did they to his winning smile and compassion.
As our latest tribute we are going to build the first full playground ever in this region as a model for education and development of the pre-school children particularly. It will be followed by completing a pre-school nursery alongside it. The whole village will take part and the dedication will be shared with other even more remote villages and their Chiefs and representatives where we hope to reproduce more playgrounds in the future alongside projects we are already helping with.
These “Simon” Playgrounds will be the best possible ways of learning through play for children, we hope, will get increasing chances to find education as the economic projects allow their parents to afford to send them to school.
In this area also at the nearby Kumbungu village we are completing the first of Simon’s Vocational workshops where the handicapped, the uneducated and orphaned young people will be able to learn a skill to make them independent. We’re also helping to kit out their football teams!
To see the latest news on the Projects for Simon, visit here>
The Simon Murden Cup
A local independent company, Board Patrol, is hosting and presenting a Skate Competition at North Ferriby Skate Park on Sunday 7th September 2008. The competition is split into three different age categories and is open to anyone who wishes to participate at any level of skating ability. As well as the category winners, Board Patrol has announced a very special award named The Simon Murden Cup.
This award is in honour of the late Simon Murden, who was a local talented skateboarder before his tragic death. His parents, Dot and Dave Murden, will be attending to present the cup to the competitor the judges think is most creative and enthusiastic and who embodies the spirit of the sport.
This is just one of several skate events and competitions held by Board Patrol across the region. Paul Marshall from Board Patrol of Savile Street, Hull city centre is hoping that these competitions promote the healthy and positive benefits of skating as a sport. “Skateboarding does get associated with anti-social behaviour and that is an image we would like to change. Skating is a diverse urban sport that demands discipline, skill and determination”.
All are welcome at the North Ferriby Skate Park, off Church Street (Sunday 7th Sept) from 12noon onwards to enjoy an exciting day, whether it be to compete or to watch and enjoy a fun day out!
On Monday the 18th of February 2008 the Inquest into Simon’s death will begin in Hull almost 3 years to the day since Simon was killed.
As a family we have had to live through the first year of intense IPCC investigation, maintaining a difficult and painful silence about the events of that morning.
During the last 2 years we have had to come to terms with the refusal by the judiciary to bring the case to court. Now, finally, the last 7 months of preparation for this in depth Inquest.
During this time our Solicitor, Jim Wyatt, has worked tirelessly on our behalf, which has included obtaining the services Mr. Michael Topolsky, QC, a human rights Barrister, who will be representing the family.
Simon’s family and many friends are hoping that the Inquest will result in the truth of all the events of that terrible morning coming to the light to vindicate Simon’s name.
On Saturday 3rd July 2006, “Simons projects” group held an evening to raise money and awareness for people in West Africa. Simon was passionate about making a difference to people’s lives in Ghana and Burkina Faso and we want to continue the work he was involved with.
Why “Footprints”? When we visited Africa, we were told that in Ghana a footprint refers to someone’s legacy, that when we die, some of us leave a “footprint” on this earth that inspires others and will continue through time, long after they have gone. It seemed very appropriate that this evening should be called “Footprints4Simon”.
The evening comprised of bbq, games, raffles film and photos, all with an African theme. Our aim was to have as much fun as possible (and for some of us as much beer as possible) and not just to raise money, but to raise awareness as well, so that people could understand the difficulties that people face in Africa, and hopefully see them as more than just a face in a picture or a statistic.
The night was a great success, the pub was packed and the money was flowing in. people, complete strangers, were very supportive and were really interested in what we were doing and what Simon had been involved with in Africa.
All in all we raised £1500!! Much beyond our expectations! This money has now been used to complete two wells in a village called Puyango in Burkina Faso.
A big THANKYOU, to all who came and to all who contributed to the evening.
And finally, a big thanks you to Steve and Janine, landlord and landlady of the Light Horseman, for their generosity and allowing us to use the pub. Thanks!
At the end of February 2006, seventeen of Simon’s
friends and family travelled to Africa to see what 'And Albert' has been doing there over the past 15yrs, and some of
the projects that touched Simon, and what he was so passionate about
on his return from Ghana last year.
So 17 of us in total, in 2 vehicles, travelling over many miles, in
temperatures over 45C, camping out and staying in mud huts, with zero
mod cons may not be every ones idea of fun, but I'm sure that all who
went, would agree that the pluses out weighed the minuses, ten fold!
Our objectives were to visit different villages in Ghana and Burkina
Faso where the money raised through Simon’s projects (Skate4Simon
and Sing 4Simon) has helped to bring clean water to people. It was amazing
to see the well in Zagtouli completed only a few weeks before our arrival.
Last time I was there, in November last year, it was dry, and to be
pulling buckets of water out of it this time was fantastic!
November 2005 (left) when the well was dry and February
2006 (right) with clean water
We also painted a school in a village called Logshegu. To see the transformation,
in a day, was great. A brighter, colourful school really seemed to encourage
the kids to use it more. Their smiles said it all!
It is so important to meet the people in Africa who are struck with
poverty, to understand their wants, needs and way of life. To build
a relationship of trust, friendship and respect, so that together we
can help to put an end to poverty, is as important, if not more than,
the money raised. This “education” was one of the main objectives
of this trip for me, which I felt was achieved throughout the group.
It was also a very emotional trip, as we were visiting a lot of the
same places and meeting the same people that Simon had met almost exactly
a year ago shortly before he was killed. A lot of us felt a very close
connection to Simon at Kintampo Waterfalls, where Simon had been last
year, a beautiful place to reflect, and remember him.
To see so many of Simon’s friends, and especially Johnny and
Tina, in Ghana was very moving and Simon would have been proud of every
one of us. To go to Africa, to raise money, to talk about Simon, to
sing 4 Simon, to skate 4 Simon, to pray for Simon, to support Simon’s
Projects, to tell people about this web site, all goes to show people
what Simon was REALLY like and how proud we were to have him as our
friend. - Max March 2006
Cheers Simon!
Sing4Simon
Just before Christmas last year, a number of Simon's family and friends
organised the 'Sing4Simon' event which was held at York's railway station
on the 23rd December. The idea of the day was to raise money for our
Water Projects currently going on in Northen Ghana and Burina Faso,
in particularly the completion of the well project at Singha Village.
There was a heavy emphasis on the 'Little Britain' theme for the fancy
dress, with special mentions going to Max and Eddie who went as Lou
and Andy, giving a hilarious performance all day and raising the most
out of all of us. Special thanks as well to the kids who joined in and
helped, and to those who travelled up from the South to be there. Through
our non too harmonious renditions of popular carols, and our constant
badgering of the general public we managed to raise £950 on the
day with a further £300 being raised through sponsors and donations,
giving a grand total of £1250.
Singha village is in remote North Ghana, about 30 miles from Tamale
(if you look on a map) on the other side of the White Volta river. It
is the last village on the old slave track that comes down from Mali,
Burkina Faso and Niger. The village is isolated in the bushland, with
nothing around it for miles. The water supply that the villagers have
is in essence, deadly, full of guinea worm parasite and various diseases
which can eat people away from the inside. Although some drink the water
through filters, these are not renewed often enough and quickly become
worn and contaminated. Infant mortality rate is high and not many reach
old age.Simon visited this village in February 2005 and prioritised
the place as one he wanted and needed to help the most. Through the
money raised we can now provide a naturally clean water source and help
to give the population of Singha a healthier future.
Above on the left is Johanine (in blue), the well and dynamite expert
from Burkina Faso who will travel to Singha to complete the well, and
on the right is the original borehole well at Singha village which failed
to produce enough water for the whole village.
For more information about Singa and the other wells, take a look at Simon's Projects
To find out how you can make a difference in somewhere like Singha click here
More fun from the Carol Singing event at York.
See the Video of African Footprint Inernational from the Footprints Page
Singha4Simon
About to cross the White Volta river to Singha
On February 3rd 2005 Simon and
his friends were "Crossing the River" with mixtures of fear,
excitement and expectation. Two hundred years ago for the slaves forced
to travel this route there would only be fear.There would be no going
back across this final frontier. They would never see their homes and
families again. For Simon's dad, seven years before and now for Simon
he would never be the same again. The poverty and desperate need of
a people surviving "on the edge" for hundreds of years but
still being neglected, convinced him this is what his life was about:
to try and help solve some of their problems in the most practical ways
possible.
Once we have crossed the many "rivers of difficulties"
in Africa or in our own lives, for that matter, many more problems are
on the other side for us all to share!
New transport for the old slave track!
Gettin thru the Winter Released 'Gettin thru the Winter' the Hull Scene Skate DVD is now on sale, with a limited number availale. To order your copy please call (01482) 871251 or write to the address at the bottom of the page. DVD's are £8 each and proceeds go toward Simon's Projects in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger. Copies are selling out fast, so don't miss your chance. Buy one today!
To find out more about it, please see Simon's Crew.
Thanks also to Julie and Sarah, supporters of Simon's Projects, who
held a quiz night in Hertfordshire and raised £360 towards the
Water Projects. Ian and Angie, in London, have also been pioneering
fundraising events and have already raised a healthy £600 with
more to follow! Cheers, guys!
Simon's Session from the 'gettin thru the winter' DVD
David Bellamy comes to Ghana
In November last year, renowned Environmentalist and Patron of the
And Albert Foundation, Professor David Bellamy, joined us on a trip
to Ghana and Burkina Faso to take in the Project sites, following the
same journey that Simon made on his visit last February. His main reason
for going was to visit the Projects and to bring attention to them and
the natural treasures that they possess through making a series of short
educational films with us.
For a little taster, click on the picture below to see some of the
video featuring African Footprints International, a group we work closely
with in the Cape Coast area of Ghana, whom Simon met and was inspired
by.You can also understand more about our motivation and focus on "African
Heritage" as well. Just click on the image!
African Footprints International are a drum and dance group who work
with deaf and disadvantaged people. The group are dedicated to making
Ghana better for it's people. We have strong links with them and will
be working very closely with them in the future. The Directors of the
group, Kweku and John 'Zie met with us on the trip and honoured us with
a performance of a composition he had produced for Simon.
Simon honoured in Logshegu
David, Simon's father, visited Ghana in September 2005 to
organise the David Bellamy film of the projects in November. It included
a visit to one of our main villages in the North of Ghana, Logshegu,
where the Chief, Elders, Imam and the whole of the village held a Muslim
funeral service for Simon, as a son of the village. Simon visited and
stayed with us in the village for a couple of days during his visit
in January. We were able to see the richness of the community, despite
it's apparent poverty. We observed the women making their pots, went
on walks thru the bush learning about the local medical uses of the
plants and played football with the kids in the evening. The funeral
was of course, very moving, as was the memorial held for him in Kumasi
with some of his Ashanti friends.
Simon's brother Jonathan married Tina Geogehan on 17th
September 2005.
During the service at Beverley Minster, a candle was lit by Simon's
parents in remembrance of him. Simon was due to have been Best Man at
the wedding along with Maxwell, who performed his duties admirably and
gave a rather funny speech. Although all weddings are good, this one
was fantastic. After the Minster the wedding party and guests returned
to the Murden family home for a slap up Thai meal and a reception that
went well on into the following day and evening. Simon's bar (purpose
built in the garden) raised over £500 for the overseas projects
that he had supported. The wedding also made the front of the East Riding
Mail, our local Newspaper which featured an interview with Jonathan
conducted during the reception.
Simon's father, David has returned from West
Africa where he has been following up on Simon's Projects. In the picture
above, school children in the remote North Ghana village of Logshegu
have been bought school uniforms and therefore an education with money raised by supporters of Simon's Projects.Click here> to find out More
Skate4Simon was a resounding success! Thanks to everybody who contributed
RECENT NEWS Recent news and reviews from fundraising events to raise money for the Projects in West Africa that Simon was so passionate about. here>
NO CHARGES AGAINST POLICE
Read the official Murden
family statement and reactions by friends at the decision of no charges to be brought against the police. here>
SIMONS PROJECTS
Read about Simon's work for the And Albert Foundation and the Projects set up in his name in West Africa. here>
HOW CAN I HELP? If you would like to donate to Simons Projects and contribute towards the work in West Africa which inspired Simon, the please follow this link. here>
SIMONS MUSIC
From Rock to Reggae and from the Clash to Johnny Cash, find out about Simon's wide taste and appreciation of music.
here>
SIMONS CREW
Find out about Simons passion and love of skateboarding with comments and reviews from friends. here>
ARCHIVE SECTION
Read here to see about older articles about fundraising events and the work in West Africa. here>
