University of Surrey receive £10 million from anonymous donor
This is the largest single donation the university has ever received
Last updated 23rd Nov 2022
The University of Surrey has received £10 million from an anonymous donor - marking the largest-ever philanthropic gift the institution has ever received.
This donation was given in support the University's School of Veterinary Medicine.
We’re told that the welfare of animals is close to the heart of the mystery donor, so the Vet School is using the money to tackle the pain some pedigree dogs experience as a result of selective breeding.
Some of the multi-million-pound donation is also going to be used to fund scholarships for students who otherwise may not have been able to go to university.
Professor Christopher Proudman, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine said: “This extremely generous gift will help advance our knowledge and understanding of how best to look after and treat our companion animals.
"It will enable us to fund critical research while supporting the innovative educational programmes which are the hallmark of the school’s approach to training the vets of the future.”
The donation will also be used to fund research into finding more accessible, accurate and quicker treatments for cancer in animals.
Professor Nick Bacon, Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University said on this: “Sadly, more than 50% of dogs over 10 years and almost a third of cats develop cancer.
“Improving our understanding in terms of early diagnosis, patient-centred treatments and innovations in compassionate care are so important for animal welfare and our society as a whole. Little separates animal and human cancers.
"This generous gift will advance veterinary science and animal wellbeing and forge stronger human-animal bonds.”
Professor Paul Townsend, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, added: “We are immensely grateful for this incredible gift.
"A donation of this magnitude is game-changing and promises to make a huge difference.
"We will ensure that this generous bequest funds work closest to the donor’s heart.”