The British Heart Foundation has been honoured by being inducted to the prestigious College of Benefactors, as a major donor to world-class research into fighting heart disease, at University of Reading.

On Thursday 9th July the University of Reading celebrated the impact of seven of its most prolific supporters on the institution’s research and student experience.

BMT Group Limited, The British Heart Foundation, The Marshal Papworth Fund, The Calleva Foundation, GML Limited, JLL and Thomson Reuters, were all inducted into the College of Benefactors.

Members of this prestigious group are recognised as being the most significant donors to the University. Their generosity is helping Reading researchers to fight heart disease, improve ocean forecasting and increase our understanding of the Iron Age and Roman Britain. Donations have led to state-of-the art training facilities for business students, as well as scholarships which have given a top-class university education for those who may not have been able to afford it.

Representatives from each of the organisations were officially inducted during the summer graduation ceremony. They were congratulated by one of last year’s inductees, and University of Reading Chancellor, Sir John Madejski OBE DL.

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Our donors have an enormous impact on the success of the University. Their generosity makes a huge difference to the lives of students and enables Reading to conduct world-class research which is making a genuine difference to the world. We thank all of these donors for their exceptional support and welcome them to the College of Benefactors.”

The College of Benefactors was established in 2014 to recognise those donors who have made the most significant contribution to the University through their support. Induction into the College is the highest honour that the University can bestow upon its donors and its members have all made outstanding gifts to the institution.