Name: Michael Baxter
Date Posted: 27th April 2008

I sent this letter to the Hull Daily Mail shortly after the outcome of the inquest but unfortunately it never reached print:

I would just like to send my heartfelt best wishes to the Murden family. As a parent I cannot begin to comprehend the pain, anguish and heartache they have gone through after the loss of a beloved son and brother in such tragic circumstances. Every ounce of emotion must have been severley stretched to the limit. Having read testimonials from various people, Simon seemed the type of person who any parent would have been proud to call a son and enrich family life to the full.

It is disgusting to think he was treated so shabbily by the heavy handed tactics of firearm officers in the Humberside Police. I hope lessons have been learned by this incident and practices put into place so there will be no further over reaction to any other poor innocent and vulnerable member of the public. I sincerely hope that David, Dorothy & Jonathan can start to pick up the pieces of a life that has been shattered and torn apart to the point of disrepair. God Bless.

Name: Julie and Jeff
Date Posted: 16th April 2008

All our thoughts are with you all, I hope you have the strength to fight on, take small comfort in the fact that everyone who knew Simon will know the truth about him and know just how unjust this all is.

Name: George Amoah - CEO, GNCI
Date Posted: 16th April 2008

Dear Good Brothers and Sisters, This might sound strange to you as to who is sending this message from Ghana. I haven’t met Simon any time but his "land marks" in Africa and stories about him make me feel I have known him before his death. Life is short they say, but I believe that if some silly people like the police could take someones life and get away with it unchecked we can’t then say that life is short.

This is really a sad story for a developed country like UK, where Simon comes from, a country that prides itself of the good and best systems of law and justice. A country that we from Africa thought it had the best of things for its people! I am sad and disappointed with the court system there. How can such a noble and a just person like Simon be gunned down by police officers,some one who wasn’t wielding a sword, and so wasn’t even a real threat to the police officers so be killed with no good reasons?

Where are we going and how are we getting there! Where are the law and justice systems we are made to believe works to put the law and order in place?

I know that in the minds and hearts of the police who committed this act the real truth lays, and their conscience will never know peace!

Friends of Simon I am calling on you never to feel Simon is not around; he will work with us in spirit; God the truest Judge, shall unravel all that has been swept under the carpet and people shall be made to pay for the blood of Simon that has been spilled for no apparent good reason. Thank you and let’s fight on, Aluta! The battle continues for a just world where we need fairness, fair trade, fair courts, true justice

Name: Jamie
Date Posted: 8th April 2008

To Dorothy and David, I wish you all the Love and support in the world. Simon was a most special person, full of love and happiness and loyalty. A true individual and a shining light in a dark place, I miss him as does everyone who knew him. The verdict is a travesty and has bewildered us all. I am sorry I have been unable to make it back to Beverley to visit. I have played The Clash all week for Simon, Clash City Rockers forever Brother!! I hope to visit you soon, if there is anything that you need from me please contact me and I am here. I am so sorry, Peace and love Simon.

Name: Mike and Pat
Date Posted: 4th April 2008

We were shocked and saddened by the verdict, this is hardly justice for Simon. Please accept our support and prayers for the whole family. the whole thing is so obviously wrong,we are at a loss to understand. Love to you all.

Name: Tina and Steve
Date Posted: 4th April 2008

As always our love and full support goes to all the family. We are devastated to hear the news of the inquest verdic it is incomprehensible that people can hear all that damning evidence and still say it was justifiable. How can killing a person with all those bullets at a close range be justifiable. Especially when they knew that there was no firearms involved and simon was so ill. We as a family cannot believe comments made in the press or by misinformed ignorant people. The police didnt even have the decency to name Simon and their description of what they had to do was apalling and disgusting, and they say they had regrets. I dont think so, it was pure gun ho and i hope beyond hope they are made to pay, but somehow i doubt it. It is a travesty and i am so sorry for you all, but i admire your strength and know i would do the same as a parent you fight tooth and nail for your children and know you will continue the fight even though you must be completely drained! Once again our thoughts are with you all and simon too as always.

Name: Leano
Date Posted: 28th March 2008

"hey there…how do i get a t-shirt to support the cause…simon was a good guy and he always took a moment out to read my lyric book…he was well into it. For this reason i’d love to wear his name on me on my tours and other gigs…love to his family and friends.

Name: Arji
Date Posted: 28th March 2008

I met you a couple years back, i’m one of Steve’s best mates. I studied in hull where i came across Simon quite a few times. Came up for the funeral gathering and will never forget it. I hope the inquest goes well , i’ll be praying for justice to prevail but whatever happens, please remember that Simon would have been so proud of all your efforts…i didn't know him as well as his best mates but he was a right good lad and no matter what newspapers and police say, in my heart, that will never change.

Name: Ben
Date Posted: 1st March 2008

Simon I only remember you through you brother Jon, having read the Hull Daily Mail report from a key witness I hope that justice is served for you and all your family. Our hearts with you all x

Name: Angie
Date Posted: January 2006

I never knew Simon, my daughter goes to St Nichs and is taught by his mum. I have a house with lots of stuff from And Albert. I never fully appreciated the And Albert concept, I do now. Through Simon’s website I have learnt a lot and thought a lot. It is a terrible world we live in today but sometimes that ray of light shines on special people, like Simon. The pictures of him and the others in Africa doing what they did, shows that there is some good out there! Cling onto that, step forward and the ray of light will shine on more and more people. I am sure Simon is looking down with pride at what he has achieved, and at what is been achieved in his name. May God look after you at this time.

Name: Anon
Date Posted: January 2006

I wanted to share a dream I had last night while it is still fresh in my mind.

In the dream I was at the old And Albert skate shop and I was with Johnny and Simon. Seeing Simon in my dream had the effect of jolting me awake within the dream so that I was aware that I was dreaming and that I was with Simon.

I went over to him immediately and shook his hand and told him how good it was to see him. I got the distinct impression that he was also aware of me, as though we were both awake whilst the other people in the dream where still asleep. It is a hard feeling and sense to convey accurately with words. It was more of a knowing. I knew at that specific time that I was having a meeting with Simon, knowing full well that he had passed on. He also knew that I knew this.

He also seemed to know that I doubted it. I was thinking that this is my imagination and this is just a dream character I have created from my subconscious. At that point Simon suggested in the dream that I wake up and reenter the dream and he would meet me to prove that it was really him.

The next thing I knew I was awake in bed. Immediately I closed my eyes and started to remember the dream and as I did so I reentered the shop. I looked around and saw Simon again.

I saw him as clearly and as consciously as if I were having a meeting in the real world, and I still remember every detail clearly. He looked very well. His hair was longer than I remembered parted in the centre but hanging in curtains just above his chin. His skin seemed to glow with health. He was also smiling, and his smile conveyed genuine happiness and joy. Just from looking at him I knew he was ok. I knew he was happy.

Impatiently I asked him, "Where are you, what are you doing now?" and he went to answer the question but he couldn’t, and I got the very powerful sense that he didn’t have time to tell me, because I felt myself being drawn back into the dream, gradually loosing the conscious awareness that I was dreaming.

However before that happened, Simon pointed to a candle that was burning brightly on a table next to him. My eyes were immediately drawn to the flame, and as I looked into the light of the flame I became transfixed by the quality of its light. It seemed to be alive. As my attention was drawn further into the light I saw and felt that within it was a powerful vibrancy and that it had been created by, and held within it all the thoughts, prayers, and love that had been sent out to Simon since his passing. As I looked at it I was filled with a sense of wonder and happiness and I was awed by the beauty of it. The light was alive with the love of everyone who had sent a thought or prayer to Simon, and it was incredibly beautiful. I can still see it clearly now in my mind as I write this.

I smiled in the dream because I knew he was showing me this because I had lit a candle for him when I had found out he had passed, but also because I felt he wanted to send a message of thanks to everyone who has been and is still thinking about him. Your thoughts and your prayers are not wasted, they are more precious than you can possibly imagine.

Not long after I looked into the candle i felt myself being pulled out of the dream and into sleep, but just before I left it completeley I saw something else, a darkness and swirling grey fog, very confused, very frightening, but it didn'’t last long. Out of that confusion this light emerged, the same light that was in the candle, but only greater and more expansive like a beacon and a guide, and swept away the darkness and the confusion.

As i thought about this final image, and as I think about it now, I feel that this is a metaphor that represents the suddenness of Simon's passing, and of the confusion, anger and fear that it caused. However the light of love that everyone who has known him, and all the thoughts, feelings, and prayers sent out to him and his family. has brought into being this beautiful light of love.

These words can’t convey accurately the sense of knowing that I felt during dream, nor of the living quality of the light that I saw, nor of the sense of having had a real encounter with Simon.

Perhaps this was all just a dream, just my imagination, and I don’t want to cause offence, nor pass on something that I have made up for wishful thinking. However i feel compelled to pass this on and not keep it to myself. The experience felt as real for the few moments it lasted, as being awake here and now does.

I am writing this and sending it anonomously because I am not important, but I believe the light that I saw in the dream was, and is, and the living quality of it stays with me even now.

Name: Owen
Date Posted: 6th April 2005

Simon was always an inspiration, a true friend and I shall miss him.

Name: Jamie
Date Posted: 15th April 2005

Simon, what a legend! Your an absolute star my friend I’ll never forget the times we had, whether it be skating on the local car park and trying to drag what seemed like a 20 tonne metal bar around in your dads van just so we could skate the thing, or talking about the ins and outs of almost everything, getting drunkenly lost around strange towns, to dancing about in front of your telly with that stupid computer game, (You where always the better dancer!!). I felt humble in your presence mate and you will be sorely missed by everyone. Forever in my heart and mind. Clash City Rockers Forever.

Name: Mark
Date Posted: 15th April 2005

Hi. my name is mark and i’m from sheffield. i knew simon through skateboarding and mutual friends. i came to the funeral yesterday and i am so glad i did, it was inspiring to see all what simon had done had planned to do and in many ways he will succeed in doing to help others. i hope that everyone there yesterday will carry that feeling of wanting to help others with them always because the world can be a cruel place and it’s times like yesterday when what really matters in life comes to surface. i'm thinking of simon and all of you today.

Name: Les
Date Posted: 15th April 2005

Everyone in our family recalls Simon when he was still only four years old, and although we lost touch with him thereafter, our fond memory of him as a playful and energetic child still remains with us to this day.

Name: Sarah
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

Just wanted to let you know i will always be thier for your family. it was such a beauitiful service that you done for the best send off for simon. but simon will never be forgotten in you or our hearts. but to let you know africa will always have one of us shining on them now and forever. from now any project that you need help with setting up or rasing money for just let us know and we will help. also that the web page you have done in rememberance of simon is brilliant so simon off the way we all knew him and always remember him. thankyou for letting us be there. god bless you. with all of my love, Sarah.

Name: Irene
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

I just want to say how sorry I feel for you as parents and I am trying to understand what went wrong for your family on that fateful day. Reading about it doesn’t seem to make any sense to me. My prayers are with you all.

Name: Ben
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

It must be about 11 years since I first met Simon, and for several years I was a regular at the warehouse, and travelled with them all to Glastonbury before we drifted our seperate ways. Being at the funeral was a truly moving and humbling experience, and the saddest way I have ever caught up with an old friend. It was apparent that I had missed a lot of his greatest times, and a great deal of his growth and development as an exceptional person. I will miss him greatly, he was an inspiration to be around and will never be forgotten.

Name: Kingo
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

I just wanted to pass on my love and thoughts to you and to let you all know that I am thinking of you everyday.

Its difficult for me to express as I sit here all of my thoughts on the matter, but I do feel that there has been an incredibly show of love and friendship between those who knew Simon, and that positive things will come as a direct result of his loss. People are coming together and getting back in touch when they had been out of touch for so long, and many promises of keeping in touch are being made, and I know they will be honoured in honour of Simons memory.

I have just been reading Simons website, it would seem that Simon had grown into a fine young man loved and respected by many, who I had unfortunately not known for the last several years (i really missed out). Ive got a terrible memory for most things when it comes to specific times, but im good for feelings. When I think of Simon from all the years I knew him I only have good feelings; happy and calm and a lot of fun. He was a funny guy who was very caring and accepting, as I found you all as a family to be and he was a tribute to you all. I thought his service was very lovely and his photos of a little boy brought me to tears and the tales people recounted made me laugh, particularly remembering his tormenting of Reeves.

Some of the Good times I do remember about him are the long summer holidays where we would all come down to the cottage, probably earlier than expected and hang about for the boys to get up. Then it would be a day of playing Warhammer, or army, watching videos of American Gladiators, play some football, empty the pond, eat, try to skate, build a ropeswing, seal the pond, pick plums, learn to unicycle, eat, have a fire, collect clay pipes and using the strimmer, eat to name but a few…

When I think of all these things I have to say these were the best years of my life, The Wonder Years that I hold dear and always come back to if I need to think of good times. Simon had as big a part of all of that as any of you did, and I am richer for knowing him. You were like a second family and to me and I must thank you for it.

Of all the positive people I could have had in my life I must thank the heavens that it was all of you.

Name: Matthew
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

On March 22nd, 2005, a friend of mine, Simon Murden, was taken away from his Family & friends in a very sudden and tragic incident. He was such a good man; it’s true that the bad things often happen to the best of us. Simon and his Dad, David, worked devotedly for their own Charity in Africa; they are true life-savers.

Name: Natalie
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

I just wanted to write and say how very, very sorry I am to hear the terrible news about Simon. I only met him a few times but I could tell easily what a genuinely lovely guy he was, and how passionately he cared about the work that you are all doing. I can’t believe how awful it is that his life would be taken away from him like that. Wishing you strength in this difficult time.

Name: Pat and Mike Stephenson
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

Thanks for letting us look after simon for a short while, you are a special family.

Name: Alison
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

I don’t know if you remember me but I have very vivid memories of coming to your house when I was young with my Dad. I remember an old church pew inside the house and Dot picking fruit or berries in the garden as well as pot drain pipes stacked to form a wine holder in the kitchen. I remember thinking that I’d love to live in a house like yours, full of love and spirit and interesting things.

The And Albert shop by the minster played an integral part of my teenage years, a place to buy presents and cards that were somehow magical and other worldly. I used to meet friends to look with wonder at the shelves and little shops.

I remember Dave playing me and Dad a Tracey Chapman album and having to beg Dad for a copy as the lyrics moved me so much "why do babies starve when there’s enough food to feed the world".

I still visit your shop by the Playhouse whenever I visit Beverley, and greatly respect the work that you and your family do to help others in need.

It was with shock and horror that I heard of the death of Simon.

I just wanted to write and say how sad and sorry the news has made me and that I hope you all take comfort in the words of those that knew him well and the memories you have so generousley shared on the website. He was obviously a lovely soul may he rest in peace and never be forgotten.

Keep on keeping on.

Name: Sarah
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

One of my earliest memories of you and Johnny is of us, Helen and Karl accidently setting fire to the bottom of a telegraph pole and being caught by Mrs. Irwin as we hopelessly tried to put it out with handfuls of water from the horse trough where the water boatmen lived. When I think of you, I see you laughing, sometimes in near hysterics due to some dreadful tickling.

Simon, remember Oscar? I was always jealous of your rich animal life (frogs, hedgehogs, cats etc.) which, like everything else, you had no qualms about sharing. Remember that red Siesta hoodie I got from the skate shop (about as near as I ever got to skating, you must have howled). Still got it! That shop was another thing you shared with us all. And then there was the warehouse which you all kindly let us make some passable music and some dreadful noise in (mostly the latter).You and the whole family set an example of tolerance and generosity for us all.Thankyou.

Although we drifted our seperate ways more than once your influence and that of the family has had a lasting effect on my life and my thought. Hearing about your recent interests and concerns it seems we had a lot more in common than ever before and to think we won’t get a chance to talk about it all is terrible. Perhaps some of us can take up the baton and continue the race you began to bring friendship, equality and laughter to as many as possible. God, Allah, Krishna, Buddha and the gang bless you and your wonderful family.

Name: Alison and Caroline
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

Lovely Simon - we both had such a soft spot for him, having known him through school and into our late teens. He was my school day boyfriend who I adored for about two years until he agreed to go out with me! He was a lovely, gentle person and always had a cheeky laugh and smile. Although we didn’t see Simon for a few years, we will always have great memories of him between the ages of 15 - 19.

We were shocked and saddened by the terrible news of 22nd March. It is hard to comprehend how this could have happened to Simon.

We couldn’t make the funeral for a number of reasons - it was a very difficult decision to have to take, but our thoughts were with Simon and his family throughout the day. We have since paid our own quiet respects and laid some flowers for him.

Name: Steve
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

So sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Simon was in my class at longcroft school and he used to sit on the next desk from me, next to his friend Matt Bailey. I did not know him very well but judging by the entries on the website he touched many lives and made many people happy.

Name: Tom
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

When banksy told me about simons death it was all almost too much to take in. The circumstances, the last time i’d seen him at the skatepark, trying to clarify exactly what had happend, to who and with what results. seeing the picture of him in the news started to bring back practicly every interaction i’d ever had with him. all positive, all with a smile, all enthusiastic.

Name: Wumbee
Date Posted: 21st April 2005

I hope you are doing okay. We are still praying for a complete healing in your heart. I saw Simon’s website. All is good, but it saddens me because I wish he would have been able to come back to those places he visited. All the same,the spirit he planted in Africa will never die. We are still praying for a great comforter for you and the entire family.

Name: David ‐ Simons Dad
Date Posted: April 2005

Thank you for allowing us to have a say to offset all the initial negative statements about Simon which went out to all the Press without us having the strength or ability to answer in those first days of horror and unbelief anything like this could happen in Britain.

It is a dreadful irony to me that I have been in some of the remotest, wildest and supposed lawless regions of the world, and never felt as unsafe as I do now in Great Britain. How much further do we need to sink in our misjudgements, paranoia and general acceptance of the violence which is threatening our whole society? As Dylan says "when ya gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain". There doesn’t seem to be many left from my father's generation of optimism having gone through the extremes of WW2!

I hope now we can begin to counteract some of the negatives as more and more evidence accrues to show the positive side.

Name: Julian
Date Posted: April 2005

As one of Simon"s tutors during his Advanced GNVQ Course in Business Studies at Hull College I would like to pass on my sincere condolences. Simon was a likeable student who worked to a high level. He took part in a number of European Projects - including two visits to Rotterdam to present findings to partner colleges from the Netherlands and Germany. Simon was a fine representative for our course, he will be missed.

Name: Alphonse, his two sons and company in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Date Posted: April 2005

We send you our condolences at the time of Mr Simons death that has touched us so. May he rest in peace and the Earth be light for him.

Name: Ivan and the Black Wailers, Bolgatanga, Ghana
Date Posted: April 2005

Hope all is ok. We were shocked when we heard the tragic news. Still remember the whole scene at The Travellers Inn in Bolga,Ghana. We were looking forward to a compilation for next year. I was speechless when Ras stephen broke the news to me thru my phone. We lost Simon thru the reckless hands of those paid to protect the innocent sufferer, but it is a lie. You shall live forever in our lyrics and in our hearts, and until we meet you’ll continue to live in the life of those you touched. We’ll definitely meet again. WADADA BRETHREN,WADADA. RIP
IVAN AND THE BLACK WAILERS
Ivan

Name: Paul
Date Posted: April 2005

How are you faring today? I also learnt that you dear baby has passed away…have my condolences and let us take consolation in the fact that God may grant Him a perfect rest in his bosom.