A Hunter family, who wish to remain anonymous, have made a huge impact with a record $1.71 million bequest to HMRI.

A Hunter family may wish to remain anonymous, but they have made a huge impact with a $1.71 million bequest to the Hunter Medical Research Institute.

This bequest is the single largest non-aligned donation in HMRI’s history and will be used to fund a range of Director’s Priority Projects at the Institute. These gifts offer flexibility as they allow the HMRI Director to consult with the Scientific Advisory Board and decide which activities and projects are funded, based on current needs.

Philanthropic donations are the lifeblood of research at HMRI, funding ground-breaking research by world-class scientists. Many donors specify a project or a field that’s close to their heart, but this non-aligned funding allows HMRI to find and fill gaps in research funding on a year-by-year basis.

The benefactor’s executor and family were given the task of choosing a charitable foundation to receive the bequest, and we are delighted that they unanimously chose HMRI to receive the funding.

Professor Michael Nilsson, Director of HMRI has applauded this generous bequest by the anonymous family. “Endowed gifts are a long-lasting and meaningful way to make a difference that will last forever,” Professor Nilsson said. “This funding will provide years of certainty for medical research in the Hunter.”

Endowed bequests are invested in perpetuity with the capital preserved and the earnings distributed annually to benefit research projects at HMRI. Funding for these projects is announced at HMRI’s annual Awards Night, which will be held in November this year.

HMRI would like to thank the family for their generous donation, it really will make a difference.

* HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.