A mystery donor handed the University of Liverpool £100,000 in funding to support vital coronavirus research.
But rather than bask in praise for the generous donation, the source of the money asked for their details to remain private.
The university says the donation will be used for a new study that will focus on the transmission of COVID-19 in around 1,000 people, or 300 households, to provide better understanding of how social distancing could help to minimise the spread of the virus.
The study is being led by Professor Neil French and is one of a series of projects being supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Centre of excellence in infectious diseases research (CEIDR) - both University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine joint initiatives.
Professor French said: “We are deeply grateful to this donor for this act of extraordinary generosity.
"It is hoped that data gathered during this study will lead to quicker and more accurate diagnostics that will help inform government decisions about who should or shouldn’t be isolated.
“The study will also look at patients’ immune systems, to help inform the development of vaccines and drug treatments and look at household behaviours to provide information about the consequences of short- and long- term approaches to social distancing.”
Professor Tom Solomon, co-investigator in the study, secured the funding from the donor.
He said: “We are incredibly thankful for this substantial and generous donation which will have a tremendous impact on our ability to address important questions about community transmission of COVID-19.”
In recent weeks Liverpool researchers have secured £10 million in external grant funding.
All research resources at the University have now been diverted to support the study of COVID-19, with more than 150 researchers focusing their efforts on better understanding the disease.
University alumni and supporters have been quick to respond following the launch of the campaign in March, with £169,375 raised in a month as well as over 75,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donated from around the world
Michaela Riches, associate director of development at the university, said: “We are extremely grateful for this amazing donation and for all the support we receive from our donors.
"This is the biggest global crisis that we will experience in our lifetime and all donations to our campaign, large and small, make a tremendous difference to our work to support our valuable NHS and protect people’s lives."
For more information about the campaign and how you can support it, visit the campaign page.
