Transforming the world

Our donor's impact is on a global scale, as we celebrate 120 years of being at the forefront of Veterinary Science, advance brain research through partnerships in India, and champion women’s health.

120 years of the School of Veterinary Science

To mark 120 years of being at the forefront of advancing the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment, the School of Veterinary Science has launched a fund to support its education, research and clinical care. Let’s look at some of the meaningful activity made possible through kindness and generosity.

Read more about the Fund

Commemorating 30 years of the Clare Harrison Memorial Fund

Since 1995, hundreds of Veterinary Science students have been supported through the Clare Harrison Memorial Fund grants. The Fund commemorates Clare, who was tragically killed while riding at a horse trials, as she began her fourth year of study.

To mark 30 years since Clare’s passing, her father, Roger Harrison, collected a posthumous BSc (Hons) in Animal Science on her behalf at this year’s graduation. Clare’s legacy has influenced the futures of countless veterinary students. The Fund will continue to be supported with donations from family, friends, and the School of Veterinary Science, including the students.

Read more about the Clare Harrison Memorial Fund

Zoe’s Journey UK donates to fund canine cancer research

When Jayne May’s golden retriever, Zoe, was diagnosed with lymphoma, Jayne wanted to give back. Jayne, who is the founder of Zoe’s Journey UK, started raising money to support further canine cancer research to continue fighting for the 25% of all dogs who will be diagnosed. Among dogs older than 10, 50% will be diagnosed with cancer.

Since then, Zoe’s Journey UK has continued to support canine cancer research. The School of Veterinary Science is researching how it can prevent the adverse effects chemotherapy can have on dogs, and how AI could improve the diagnosis of canine lymphoma.

Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust to support new equine facilities

Longstanding supporters of the University, Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust, have generously donated £1 million to support new equine facilities at the Leahurst campus.

The Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, named in 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 England, North Wales, and beyond.

This substantial gift from the Trust provides a transformative opportunity for equine redevelopments at the University.

Read more about the Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust gift

Pioneering minds unite

Thanks to the generous support of Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan, founder of the Pratiksha Trust, The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, India, and the University of Liverpool will work together to advance the frontiers of brain research.

Established in 2002, this strategic partnership has made a big impact, informing World Health Organization vaccine guidelines for Japanese Encephalitis and saving over 200,000 lives. The next phase will support PhD students, Early Career Researchers and the Senior Research Exchange Programme to support research in:

• Child and Maternal Health
• Brain Imaging and Epilepsy
• Brain Infections
• Preclinical imaging for basic neuroscience.

We are at an exciting time of international development, following the announcement of a new University of Liverpool campus in Bengaluru, opening for its first intake of students in August 2026.

Read more about the partnership

Ground-breaking research into Glioblastoma

Thanks to donor support, our researchers are carrying out a ground-breaking study into a promising new treatment for brain cancer.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and common type of primary brain tumour, with around 3,200 people diagnosed each year. Despite intensive treatment with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, just 160 of those diagnosed will survive for five years or more.

The University is working with The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust on research exploring ways to harness the power of the immune system to target glioblastoma. 

So far, our donors have raised over £260,000 in support of this research. Now, we're working toward our next goal of £400,000 to support the development of innovative immunotherapy treatments, with the aim for clinical trials within the next five years. 

Research lead Dr Michael Cearns shares an update on his vital work, supported under the expert guidance of Professor Michael Jenkinson, Professor Christian Ottensmeier and Dr Rasheed Zakaria:

To find out more about Dr Cearns' research, or to donate, visit the JustGiving page.

Championing women's health

The University of Liverpool’s Department of Women’s and Children’s Health have been awarded a grant for FIBROSAFE – a study that will develop better treatment and management of fibroid-induced bleeding.

A quarter of all maternal deaths worldwide are due to postpartum haemorrhage, and women with fibroids are at greater risk of developing the condition. Globally, postpartum haemorrhage is estimated to affect 14 million women every year, resulting in over 70,000 deaths (mostly in low- and middle-income countries); equivalent to one death every six minutes.

FIBROSAFE researchers will collect and analyse large amounts of data to uncover new knowledge and insights about fibroids, which will lead to the development of better treatment and management of the condition.

Since fibroids directly cause heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding after birth in affected women, ultimately, the study has the potential to change - and save - women’s lives.