Neil has dedicated years to serving in the police and contributing to the cycling community with Off The Grid, as a leader, a coach, a friend and his current role at Scottish Cycling. Now, we invite you to help him regain independence and continue pursuing the activities he loves.

In September, while on a mountain biking holiday in Italy, Neil suffered a life changing accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving him paralysed from the shoulders down.

After initial treatment in Italy, Neil was transferred to the National Spinal Unit in Glasgow. After weeks of ventilation and heavy sedation, his strength, determination, and positive outlook have driven remarkable progress which meant he could move to a hospital closer to home. This has allowed Neil to reconnect with friends, visit home, and enjoy the outdoors again.

To support Neil in living independently at home, costly home adaptations are needed , alongside the purchase of adaptive equipment to allow access to the outdoors. Our priority at the moment is to ensure his home is prepared so he can return safely and comfortably after discharge and he can access the outside world he enjoys so much.

Adapting to this new reality will take time but independence and returning to the countryside remain vital to Neil. While Neil will receive a chin-controlled power chair, it is unsuitable for rural terrain, preventing him from walking his dog, Jura, or accessing local trails.

Neil’s adventurous spirit endures. Alongside a day-to-day power chair, he hopes to acquire an off-road power quad (https://quadrix-team.com/en/produits/quadrix-axess-touch/

), enabling him to explore trails and rediscover his happy place in the hills.

Let’s help Neil reclaim his freedom and keep his adventurous spirit alive.