On the 7th July 2017, Neal was on his way home from a morning cycle when he was involved in a freak accident, colliding with a car parked on the road. He suffered various injuries, the most severe of these being a broken back and leaving him with no sensation from the chest down. He was airlifted to hospital in London where he underwent surgery and has now been transferred to a the spinal unit at the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital in North London where he could be for around 12 weeks.

Those who know my dad will know how active he is with a great love of walking, mountain climbing, cycling and skiing so you can imagine what a devastating blow that injury has been to him and our family. Family Sundays were always walks in the countryside, holidays were camping and walking in Wales and skiing in France. He has instilled in both my sister and I a great love of the outdoors and essentially lead me to my career and life as it is now.

Everything good that has happened in my life has been possible because of my dad. Without his love, influence and support, I could never have been able to become a ski instructor, worked around the world and generally done the things that I love. I am who I am because of my dad.

Victoria ( Neal's daughter)