Legendary England rugby player Jason Leonard OBE, was the special guest for the local charity RUILS to mark its sixth fund-raising dinner at Richmond FC, which raised a staggering £17,500 on Tuesday night.

The charity has a longstanding relationship with the club through its Trustee, Gareth Savin, who was paralysed after sustaining a serious neck injury when playing for Richmond aged 19-years-old.  

Seven years ago, Ruils supporter, Sue Dorrington, also a former Richmond FC (and England) player, organised the first fundraising dinner at the club as Ruils' FriendBee Befriending service for disabled young people was at risk of closure due to lack of funds.  

Jason Leonard was the speaker at that first rugby dinner, so Ruils was delighted to welcome him back seven years later to continue his valuable support for the charity. Chris Mills, Club President, acted as compere and auctioneer, enabling Ruils to raise an incredible amount for its work with disabled people across the borough.

Former England rugby player Jason Leonard during last nights event.

Cathy Maker, Ruils CEO, said: "At a time when many of our clients are still struggling to reintegrate with their community following the pandemic, and others are having to choose between food and fuel, I am delighted that this dinner has raised £17,500 which provides vital support to those most in need."

The event coincided with the 20 year anniversary of Ruils, which was formed around a kitchen table by a group of disabled people who were frustrated with their care and wanted to have choice and control over their lives. 

Ruils has grown to provide advice, information, services, advocacy and accessible activities to more than 4,000 disabled children and adults every year in Richmond, Hounslow and Kingston.  

Cathy Maker, Ruils CEO, kicked off Ruils' 20 year anniversary celebrations in her speech, highlighting the work the charity does to help children with additional needs to get the support they need at school, helping isolated local people to reconnect with their community, and the extraordinary financial pressures which Ruils clients are facing at the moment.  

Sue Dorrington, who has raised an incredible £115,000 for Ruils over the last seven years, presented a cheque to CEO Cathy on the night.   

She asked guests to consider supporting Ruils' Donate your Rebate scheme, where those people who are lucky enough not to need their fuel rebate can donate it to Ruils. All donations made will go in to a Welfare Fund and be distributed to local people in need of financial support.

Ruils is a user-led charity supporting disabled children and adults and people with long term health and mental health conditions to live independently, be part of their community and to live life to the full. It provides information, advice, advocacy, befriending and activities to clients and their families. For more information about Ruils and how to support their work, visit www.ruils.co.uk.