The University of Liverpool has received a £1 million donation from the Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust to support new equine facilities at the Leahurst campus. The trust is a valued supporter of the University, with a relationship spanning 25 years.
Philip William Bryce Lever, 3rd Viscount Leverhulme KG TD was a British peer, racehorse owner, and Chancellor of the University of Liverpool from 1980 to 1993. The Leverhulme name has long been associated the Leahurst campus, with the Trust being a significant donor to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital and the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital.
The equine hospital, which has carried the Leverhulme name since 1998, is an internationally renowned facility for equine clinical care and research excellence. It is one of the largest university equine hospitals in the UK, caring for ponies to performance horses from the North West of the UK, North Wales and beyond. This substantial gift from the Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust provides a transformative opportunity for equine redevelopments at the University.
The significant gift comes during the month that marks the 120th anniversary of the University of Liverpool’s School of Veterinary Science. At a celebration event hosted at St Geroge’s Hall hundreds of guests including alumni, students, and staff came together to celebrate this innovative centre, with a history of delivering world-firsts.
Anthony Hannay, an alumnus of the University and a trustee of Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust when the grant was made said: “We are delighted to support the vital new Equine redevelopments at the University of Liverpool Leahurst campus with this major gift. Leahurst is a place of great significance in the welfare of horses in the North West of England and beyond, thus it is our pleasure to support this centre of excellence long into the future.”
Professor Paul Lunn, Dean of the School of Veterinary Science said: “We are hugely grateful for this generous donation from Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust. This significant gift will make a substantial contribution to our continued world-leading work in equine health.
“It seems fitting that this contribution comes in the same year the School of Veterinary Science celebrates its 120th anniversary and at a moment when we are reflecting on our long and esteemed history. The Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust has played a key role in our history, and we’re delighted to see our partnership continue into the future.”
As the School of Veterinary Science continues to mark 120 years of being at the forefront of advancing health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment there are opportunities to support its education, research and clinical care and the School has recently launched the School of Veterinary Science Fund. For more information please contact Sarah Lee, Development Manager at the University of Liverpool at: sarah.lee@liverpool.ac.uk.
Photo: Anthony Hannay (left) with Professor Paul Lunn at celebration event to mark the 120th anniversary of the University of Liverpool’s School of Veterinary Science.