'Bonnet stuck - won't open!!

My uncle uses an 03 T5 van for his plumbing business.The bonnet is stuck down firm and won't release.We cannot access it from below,under either wheelarch,or through the grille.

The cable is still intact,it's just solid.No amount of levering,pulling and bashing will budge it

 

Any clues guys.We don't want to risk damaging any trim.We can just see the release lever and have tried prising it (Just above the VW badge),but no luck