Two men who own a local plumbing business are set to run the South Downs Way 100 in June to raise money for a Teddington-based charity.

On 13 June, Robbie Hillhouse, who co-owns Twickenham-based business Pinnacle Plumbing and Heating with his brother Gavin will run 100 miles, paced by Gavin in the second half, from just outside of Winchester to Eastbourne to raise money for charity Ruils, which supports disabled children and adults, people with long-term health conditions, and the elderly to live independently, be part of their community and live life to the full.  

Speaking about why they chose to raise money for Ruils, Robbie told Nub News that he and his brother are "always wanting to give back to charity".

He said: "Ruils is a local charity and we love the work they do in our local community, so we chose to raise money for them. We've been supporting them for the past four or five years and helping wherever we can."

Robbie says that he walked 100 miles a couple years ago to raise money for Ruils and decided he now wanted to try something "a bit tougher". 

He said: "Gavin and I decided that we are going to take on a challenge that is a bit difficult while realising that it's over in 30 hours whereas over people have it really tough and their struggle isn't over - it's a conctinous struggle.

"So yes, it's a difficult challenge, but when you put it into perspective, once it's finished, it's finished whereas other people's struggles are much longer than 30 hours."

Robbie says that he is a runner but this distance will be the furthest he has run. 

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He started his training in December by running a marathon and has since done some ultra marathons as part of a programme given to him by his coach.

And earlier this month he ran the South Downs Way 50, which is the "second half" of the South Downs Way 100 - being 50 miles. 

He said: "Training is the easy part, it's raising the money which is the difficult part, especially in these times, and I know that Ruils need the money."

Speaking about why people should donate to his challenge, Robbie said: "Ruils do great work in our community and I'm raising money for its SEND Family Matter service, which is for families who have children with special education needs and disabilities and it helps them to navigate through the mindfield of bureaucracy and to get their children to the right places. 

"Having an autistic child or a child with special needs doesn't just affect the child, it affects the whole family, so this service helps the family to cope.

"For example, they may need one-to-one counselling, and Ruils hosts workshops for this, but workshops cost money, so they need more money so they can hold one-to-ones for the families."

Robbie and Gavin have already raised £2,040 of their £10,000 target. 

You can donate to their challenge via their JustGiving page here.

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