A MAN who was left unable to work after he was assaulted 18 months ago has been helping to give something back to his community. Simon Richards, of Grasmere Drive in Weston, was kicked in the head during the attack, which has left him suffering from epile

A MAN who was left unable to work after he was assaulted 18 months ago has been helping to give something back to his community.Simon Richards, of Grasmere Drive in Weston, was kicked in the head during the attack, which has left him suffering from epilepsy and a heart murmur.To fill his time normally spent at work, the 37-year-old started up a project mending unwanted bikes.About four months ago he joined forces with his neighbour, 37-year-old Mitchell Covey, who had been working on cycles himself while at home caring for his sick wife. The bikes they repair are now either given or lent to people living in the area who do not already have access to one. Simon said: "This project allows us to give something back to the community and we enjoy ourselves at the same time. "We currently have 15 bikes that are waiting to be worked on and we have given away five in the past few days. "We don't currently charge anything for the work we do but we may start charging a small fee to help pay for the repairs."Bournville Area Residents' Association chairman, Nigel Lindor, heard about the project and agreed to help Simon and Mitchell take it further. He said: "This project, called Recycle A Cycle, is such a good way for both of them to keep busy, as well as helping people living nearby."If we manage to set up a club, it means people of all ages will be able to borrow the cycles."We are hoping to find some better premises, possibly on the Oldmixon trading estate, to allow the project to expand."It has a lot of support from the police and local councillors and it will hopefully reduce the number of bike thefts in the area."If people can borrow cycles they will have no reason to steal them."* Pictured: Mitchell (left) and Simon repairing some unwanted bikes.