The newly launched Duncan & Toplis Foundation is set to donate £25,000 towards an educational project currently under construction by Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS).
This £25,000 donation to the LAS is the foundation’s first major donation. The LAS focuses on educating future generations on the importance of farming, food production and the countryside, while advising on careers in agriculture.
The donation will go toward redeveloping the charity’s existing exhibition centre, previously used for Covid-19 vaccinations, at Lincolnshire Showground.
When it reopens, the building will be known as the EXCO Centre for Education, with LAS looking to install IT infrastructure for audio-visual equipment and classroom equipment. The Society has already spent £900,000 on the project and is looking to raise a further £100,000 to enable completion.
Adrian Reynolds, Managing Director of Duncan & Toplis, and also a Chair and Trustee of the Duncan and Toplis Foundation:
“Duncan & Toplis has supported agriculture since it was founded in 1925, so it’s fitting that the first donation from our new foundation should be to the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Even today, 25% of our business stems from the food and farming sector and the new EXCO Centre, as a local project for the good of the community, marries perfectly with the objectives of our foundation.”
“This centre will educate future generations on the importance of farming, food production and the countryside and help launch great careers in the industry and we’re proud to give it our support.”
Rosie Crust, Education Development Manager at the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society said:
“Thank you to Duncan & Toplis for the generous donation pledge of £25,000 to the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society’s Education work. The investment has supported the renovation of the EXO Centre - a purpose-built education facility on the Lincolnshire Showground.”
“We were also delighted to partner with Duncan & Toplis as industry ambassadors for the Lincolnshire Show Schools’ Challenge competition. They engaged with the future generation - supporting young people to develop their knowledge on sustainability, enterprise and enhance vital transferable skills.”
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Duncan & Toplis in the coming years.”
The Duncan & Toplis Foundation will primarily support initiatives that seek to improve the quality of local communities, with causes such as the provision of food and shelter, mental health, palliative care and youth employment among those given priority support.
Focus areas for support will be determined each year and organisations and charities can request support through a simple online form. 95% of all money raised will be directed to UK-based charities, with the remaining 5% supporting international charities.
