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£10 million gifted to Surrey Vet School
Animal welfare-related projects are set to gain from the anonymous contribution.

The donation is the School's biggest-ever philanthropic gift.

Surrey Veterinary School has received its largest-ever philanthropic gift – a £10 million donation from an anonymous donor.

The gift is also the biggest-single gift in the university's history. Donated as part of The Future Says Surrey £60m fundraising campaign, the money will help to advance understanding and knowledge of how to care for companion animals. 

Surrey Vet School president and vice-chancellor, Professor Max Lu, said: “We launched this campaign to enhance the positive impact the University has on society, through supporting our talented students and inspirational researchers in people-centred AI, sustainability, and one health-one medicine.

"With support such as this from alumni and donors, Surrey as a leading global institution will further its mission to help shape a better world.”

The anonymous donor made the £10 million legacy contribution after learning about some of the innovative studies and techniques underway at the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Animal welfare-related projects are the donor's top priority, and are set to gain from the contribution. Among them includes work to lessen the suffering and discomfort experienced by dogs as a result of selective breeding.

The generous gift is also expected to support treatments for cancer in animals and scholarship schemes for students. The schemes will enable the best veterinary medicine students to study at Surrey, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

Professor Paul Townsend, pro-vice chancellor and executive dean of the faculty of health and medical sciences, commented: “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.”

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.