A community of people working for a charity have been “shocked” by an unprovoked and “nasty” attack which left their 64-year-old colleague unable to feel anything from the chest down.

Neville Smith, from Harrow Weald, was cycling along Bushey Mill Lane on May 30 when he was kicked off his bike as he tried to avoid another man cycling toward him. The incident happened just before 5pm.

Neville was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital suffering serious spinal injuries. He has since been moved to Alderbourne Rehabilitation Unit at Hillingdon where he is awaiting a bed at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital spinal unit, in Stanmore.

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His colleagues and friends at Aspire, a charity who provide practical help for people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury, praised Neville for his “strong will” and described the attack as “upsetting”.

Tasha Webster, director of operations at Aspire, said: “The whole Aspire community has been shocked not only by the incident but how it happened. 

“This teenager kicked him off the bike intentionally, it’s shocking and upsetting and moved the whole community. 

“Neville is such a well-known and loved member of the team, he’s part of the furniture and it’s really weird he isn’t here.”

Neville has worked for Aspire for 24 years as a fitness instructor and is the second longest standing employee. He currently works at the charity’s leisure centre in Stanmore two nights a week and on Saturday teaching in the gym and helping post-injury patients in their recovery. 

Tasha said: “It’s ironic that he works for a charity that treats spinal injury, it came as quite a shock. 

“He is always happy and smiling and he’s ultra-fit. Neville is 64 but you wouldn’t think it. You will never find him sitting down, he engages with customers, he’s always cycling in the gym - he loves cycling - and his spin classes are really high energy. 

“He’s very strong willed and he probably hasn’t quite fully accepted what has happened. He still hasn’t shaved because he wants to do it himself.”

Tasha said Neville still has some limited movement in his right arm, but it is not clear whether is paralysis is permanent. 

Police issued an appeal shortly after the attack in Bushey Mill Lane asking for help to trace a white male.

Detective Constable, Matt Cox, said: “This was a nasty attack which left the victim with a serious spinal injury. 

“I am appealing for anyone who might have seen what happened, or saw the offender, to get in touch.”

Police put out a picture of Neville’s racing bike to jog the memory of anyone who may have been in the area at the time. 

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Speaking about the person who attacked Neville, Tasha said: “I think it’s more an education piece. These kids riding around doing wheelies on the wrong side of the road, I don’t think they realise what injuries they might get or do to others. 

“Please come forward and accept responsibility for what you’ve done. You’ve changed this person’s life forever”. 

Police have still not been able to trace the teenager involved and recently Aspire posted an appeal online to move the investigation forward. 

Neville is said to be “remaining positive” and he is very grateful for the messages of support he has received. 

Anyone with information should contact matthew.cox@herts.pnn.police.uk or call101 quoting crime reference 41/2686/18. You can also report information online at https://www.herts.police.uk/Report.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org