Team members across the pubs, breweries and support centres operated by hospitality sector giant Greene King raised a ‘phenomenal’ £3.8million for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023, the highest yearly fundraising total in the history of the pubco’s 11-year partnership with the charity.
Up £800k on the previous year, 2023’s total is the equivalent of £434 raised every hour of every day of the year, and is enough to fund 82,353 Macmillan nursing hours, helping to provide people living with cancer the support that they need.
At the beginning of 2023, Greene King pledged its first £1m raised to Macmillan’s Emergency Grants Appeal, supporting those living with cancer with rising cost of living expenses. It reached that first milestone in May, and from there, fundraising continued to go from strength to strength, with team members around the UK taking on a host of extreme personal challenges such as scaling mountains, hiking and running marathons, alongside pub teams hosting local fundraising events, pub quizzes and Macmillan Coffee Mornings throughout the year.
Smaller donations happening daily across all of Greene King’s 1600 pubs, from the £1 dropped into the collection tin on the bar to the 25p donations that are added via online collection app have also added to this record result.
Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie said: “Every day we see people coming together in our pubs to support one another. This record-breaking fundraising total for Macmillan is a perfect example of this, where our dedicated pub teams have joined forces with our amazing communities to support a cause that is close to the hearts of so many.
“It’s not just the big fundraising events that help draw in the much-needed funds. A large proportion of our fundraising is generated through the smaller donations made via collection tins and Pennies when our customers pay their bill. These little and often donations are not to be underestimated, as they really do add up to make a significant impact,” said Mackenzie.
“The £3.8m raised last year will help Macmillan to continue provide the important support they deliver to people living with cancer, and I know our team members across our pubs and support centres are galvanised and ready to go again in 2024!”
Chief executive officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, Gemma Peters, said: “I am amazed by the incredible amount Greene King raised for us last year. The passion and dedication from the team members, as well as the generosity of Greene King customers, is very special.
“Their collective ambition to get behind the cause and raise as much money as possible is so inspiring and the funds raised mean even more people living with cancer will receive vital support from Macmillan, at a time when they need it most. To everyone involved, whether it is someone who has taken part in a challenge, hosted a coffee morning or generously donated to a fundraising tin, I cannot thank you enough.”
Greene King has supported Macmillan since 2012, raising over £17million for the charity in the last 11 years.
