University | Health

15 Apr 10

The University of Oxford’s fundraising campaign, Oxford Thinking, has gone past the £800m mark, with a donation that will establish the first UK research group dedicated to researching a rare genetic condition that turns muscle to bone.

The gift adds to the thousands of other donations to the collegiate University, large and small, from all over the world, that have been received since August 2004.

Oxford Thinking: The Campaign for the University of Oxford is the largest fundraising campaign in European university history, with a goal of a minimum of £1.25 billion to support world-class research, teaching and facilities.

The £800m milestone has been achieved in under six years: the Campaign began its ‘quiet phase’ in summer 2004, and launched formally in May 2008.

Professor Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, says: ‘To have raised £800m in such a short time, in a difficult economic climate, is testament to the extraordinary generosity of Oxford’s donors, and their faith that this University is capable of tackling the issues most important to them.

‘We are grateful to the thousands of alumni, individuals and foundations who have chosen to support our work. They come from 80 different countries, and have made gifts from a few pounds to tens of millions, for a whole range of different areas of the University’s activity. Every gift has been valuable.

‘While many donors have fond memories of, or connections to, Oxford, many others donate because they identify Oxford as the best place in the world to tackle the issues that are important to them – whether those are health problems, environmental challenges, developing new technology, better understanding the world around us, or teaching the finest minds of the next generation.’

Richard Simcox, via his company Roemex, supported the creation of two research posts at Oxford University devoted to research into FOP, a devastating genetic disease, establishing for the first time a UK group focused solely on this condition. Oxford University is the only institution in the UK conducting research on the disease.

Dame Vivien Duffield, Chair of the Campaign, said: ‘We are delighted that the campaign has reached £800m which is even more remarkable during a period of such economic uncertainty. I would like to thank everyone who has given so generously towards the campaign which will help to secure the future of the University for generations to come. We still have a long way to go to reach our target but we hope that future donors will be spurred on by the wonderful example of our benefactors to date.’

Oxford Thinking has three key aims: supporting students, supporting academic posts and programmes, and supporting buildings and infrastructure. It includes all the colleges, departments, and museums of Oxford University.

Those wishing to give to the University of Oxford can go to www.campaign.ox.ac.uk.