The Duncan and Toplis Foundation, with roots in Newark, makes first major donation to Lincolnshire Agricultural Society

A newly launched philanthropic foundation is set to make its first major donation, of £25,000.

The Duncan and Toplis Foundation is set to donate the funds towards an educational project currently under construction by Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS).

The foundation is the philanthropic arm of accountants and business advisors Duncan and Toplis ­— which has a base in Newark ­— and will lead fundraising initiatives for the group and increase the impact of the charitable activities of the Duncan and Toplis team.

The £25,000 donation to the LAS is the foundation’s first major donation.

Adrian Reynolds, managing director of Duncan and Toplis and also a chairman and trustee of the Duncan and Toplis Foundation, said: "Duncan and 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."

The LAS focuses on educating future generations on the importance of farming, food production and the countryside, while advising on careers in agriculture, and the donation will go towards 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 EXO 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 added: "Even today, 25% of our business stems from the food and farming sector and the new EXO 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 and 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 and 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 and Toplis in the coming years.”