Willand site director takes on London Marathon for children's charity

A senior leader at one of Willand’s largest employers is gearing up for one of the world’s most famous endurance challenges, as Nick Pugsley, Site Director at 2 Sisters Food Group’s processing site in Willand, prepares to run the London Marathon in support of the Boparan Charitable Trust.

Nick will be taking on the iconic 26.2 mile route through the capital to raise vital funds for the Trust, which supports children and young people living with disabilities, life‑limiting conditions, and those affected by extreme poverty across the UK.

Based in the local community, Nick is well known at the Willand site, where he leads large operational teams. His decision to take on the marathon reflects both a personal challenge and a commitment to making a difference beyond the workplace. Colleagues at the Willand site, along with friends and family across the Cullompton area, are rallying behind Nick as he trains for the marathon, with fundraising ongoing in the run‑up to the event.

Nick regularly takes on challenges and fundraises, including running seven half-marathons in seven days, a charity sky dive and a charity bungee jump, and has generated over £5,000 in donations for different charities in the last 4 years, has supported the Boparan Charitable Trust for several years through workplace fundraising initiatives, including salary donations and sponsorship of colleagues, but says taking on the London Marathon feels like a chance to do something truly meaningful.

Nick Pugsley, Site Director at 2SFG’s Willand site, said: “I have followed the incredible work the Boparan Charitable Trust has carried out over the years and the many lives it has changed for the better. I love helping people, and if putting myself through 26.2 miles of pain can help change even one life, then it’s worth it.”

Nick added: “I have always considered myself ‘not built for running’, but during the pandemic I started running as a way to keep my sanity, and to my surprise I found that I really enjoyed it. I like pushing myself and setting challenges. Running the London Marathon is the ultimate challenge – especially after suffering a permanent injury to my ankle half-way through my seven half marathons in seven days running challenge last year. But 75 per cent of running is mindset.”

Nick is running on behalf of The Boparan Charitable Trust, a charity founded by the Boparan Family, with a mission to helpsome of the most disadvantaged children in society to live fuller, healthier and happier lives.

The Trust works closely with families to make a flexible and accessible difference:

• Improving access to specialist healthcare and treatment for children with serious and life‑limiting conditions
• Providing mobility aids, equipment and tailored support for children living with disabilities
• Supporting initiatives that give children opportunities to thrive, not just survive, through education, therapy and community projects
• Tackling extreme child poverty, in the UK, where children lack access to basic necessities and safe environments

A key principle of The Boparan Charitable Trust is ensuring that donations havemaximum impact. The Trust focuses on practical, outcomes‑driven projects and works to keep administration costs low, meaning funds raised by supporters like Nick go directly towards changing children’s lives.

Gareth Aston, Director of The Boparan Charitable Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Nick for taking on the London Marathon in support of The Boparan Charitable Trust. Challenges like this not only raise vital funds, but also help shine a light on the very real issues facing children living with disabilities, life‑limiting conditions and extreme hardship. Every mile Nick runs will help us continue to fund practical, life‑changing support for children and families who need it most, and we are hugely inspired by his determination and commitment.”

Local residents who wish to support Nick’s London Marathon effort and contribute to The Boparan Charitable Trust can do so via his sponsorship page: The Boparan Charitable Trust: Best foot forward for London Marathon 2026

As marathon day approaches, Nick hopes the community’s support will help raise awareness not only of his personal challenge, but of the ongoing work of a charity dedicated to giving vulnerable children a better future.