Local heating engineers Robbie and Gavin, Directors of Pinnacle Plumbing & Heating, have hit their ambitious £10,000 fundraising target for Teddington-based charity Ruils Independent Living despite a dramatic injury-enforced exit from a grueling 100-mile ultramarathon.

A commitment to SEND families

Back in February 2026, the duo pledged to raise the five-figure sum specifically for the Ruils SEND Family Matters Service.

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

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

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

Based at the Disability Action & Advice Centre on Waldegrave Road, Ruils' SEND service provides essential workshops, advocacy, and practical support to families raising children with special educational needs and disabilities across South West London.

To achieve this goal, Robbie volunteered to tackle the brutal South Downs Way 100-mile race in June. Taking their campaign directly to the community, the business owners advertised the run heavily to their customers, family, and friends.

Community spirit and a mile 60 heartbreak

Fundraising got off to a flying start when Pinnacle Plumbing & Heating hosted a charity barbecue at its local running club, which successfully generated a substantial portion of the target.

With Gavin acting as second and supporting crew, Robbie began the gruelling 100-mile footrace in June. He kept up an impressive pace until disaster struck at mile 60.

A heavy fall left the plumbing Director with a broken arm, forcing an immediate and heartbreaking withdrawal from the remainder of the race.

Thanking the village that made it possible

Despite the unexpected medical detour, the team at Pinnacle Plumbing & Heating told Nub News they are "thrilled to announce that they have now officially cleared the £10,000 milestone".

The pair added: "We didn't cross the physical finish line the way we wanted to, but the community absolutely carried us across the financial finish line.

"We want to extend an enormous thank you to every single person who donated, sent a message of support, or bought a burger at the barbecue."

The Directors expressed special gratitude to the local running community at Ranelagh Harriers and the local business networking chapter BNI Tudor, both of whom went far above and beyond to rally their networks and push the fundraising total to its ultimate success.

The money raised will immediately go to work funding advice pathways and support networks for local families facing the everyday challenges of navigating the SEND system.