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Macmillan's Annual Report and Accounts

Read our Annual Report and Accounts to find out more about the work we did to support people living with cancer in 2023. You can download our report in a range of formats or read some of the key highlights below.

Supporting people living with cancer

We estimate there are currently more than 3 million people living with cancer in the UK. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an extremely difficult time and affect many aspects of someone’s life. 

In 2023, we helped more than 2.3 million people affected by cancer, 250,000 more than in 2022. Macmillan's ambition is for everyone in the UK to receive the best cancer care there is.

Sal is a women living with breast cancer.

Sal's story

Financially, cancer has not been kind to me. Being diagnosed with cancer during a cost of living crisis feels like we’re running just to stay still.

Since I got cancer, we can’t afford to turn the central heating on. I get cold because of tamoxifen and just have to hide under lots of blankets.

Macmillan has helped me keep my head above water by providing us with a one-off grant. This was a lifesaver.

A note from our Chief Executive, Gemma Peters

What we achieved in 2023

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2.3 million

 

Our services reached and supported an estimated 2.3 million people affected by cancer.

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730,000 people

 

Our Macmillan nurses, support workers and palliative care nurses reached approximately 730,000 people living with cancer.

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£310 million


We helped to identify millions in benefits through the advice provided by our Macmillan Support Line and £310 million through our local Welfare Rights Services.

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£226.8 million

 

Our supporters and fundraisers raised an incredible £226.8 million. 

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Over 100,000 hours

 

Over 11,600 active Macmillan volunteers donated over 100,000 hours of their time to help people living with cancer.

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59,000 assessments

 

59,000 people living with cancer received a Macmillan Holistic Needs Assessment to help with their needs and concerns.

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£2.6 million

 

Our Emergency Grants Appeal raised a staggering £2.6 million to help people with the escalating cost of living crisis. 

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110,000 supported

 

We supported around 110,000 people via the Macmillan Support Line.

How we raised our money

In 2023, Macmillan generated income of £232.5 million, an increase of 2.4% from 2022. Macmillan remains almost entirely funded by charitable donations from the public, with 98% of its income in 2023 coming from fundraising activities, and the remaining 2% from grant income, charitable activities, and investments.

Pie chart detailing how Macmillan raised money in 2023
  • Total income: £232.5 million

    Legacy income£93.1 million

    Legacy giving is when people leave a gift to us in their will. Find out more about gifts in wills.

    • Discounting adjustment: £0.6 million

    Donation income: £116.5 million

    • Fundraising events: £51.4 million
      This includes national, challenge and local events.

    • Direct marketing: £26.5 million
      This is money raised by activities like direct debit campaigns and mailings.

    • Corporate income: £19.1 million
      This is income from corporate supporters and partners.

    • General donations: £12.5 million
      This is general donations from the general public.

    • Philanthropy:  £4.5 million
      This includes income from trusts and major donors.

    • Local fundraising committees: £2.3 million  
      This is donation income raised by fundraising committees in their local committees.

    • Donated services and facilities: £0.2 million
      This is services and facilities donated to us.

    Grant income: £1.4 million

    We also receive income from grants which we apply for, these typically come from organisations and the government. These include The Scottish Government funding for our Transforming Cancer Care Programme and the Sussex Cancer Fund funding the Macmillan Horizon Centre, Brighton. 

    Income from charitable activities£1.8 million

    Income from social impact investments for end of life care and other charitable activities. 

    Trading activities£17.8 million

    This includes income from our raffles and lotteries, fundraising committee sales, our online shop, licensing and royalties.

    Investment income: £2.5 million

    Income from our diverse investment portfolio which includes government and non-government bonds, money market funds and equities.

     

How we spent our money

Macmillan continued to increase its spend on its services for people living with cancer in 2023, totalling £184.9 million. This is up from £178.7 million in 2022. 

 

Pie chart detailing money spent in 2023

 

Total spend: £265.2 million

  • What we spend on charitable activities: £184.9 million

    Healthcare: £59.3 million

    Financial support: £43.2 million

    Campaigning and raising awareness: £25.5 million

    Information and support:  £45.4 million

    Practical and emotional support: £23.4 million

    Learning and development: £8.8 million

  • What we spent on raising income: £80.3 million
    Expenditure on raising income includes the costs incurred in raising legacy income, donation income, grant income and income from trading activities, including apportioned support costs. 

2023 highlights - doing whatever it takes 

A Black man's barbers with men having their hair cut.

Tackling barriers to men seeking support

We launched our ‘Find the words’ campaign to encourage more men to talk about cancer and seek support from Macmillan’s support services.

Part of our campaign included working with the Barbershop Project, a group of innovative barbers breaking down taboos and normalising conversations about cancer in the safe space of a barbershop.

Find the words to talk about cancer
Macmillan campaigners standing outside Stormant.

What Are We Waiting For? 

Delays in a cancer diagnosis or starting treatment may restrict treatment options or potentially reduce chances of survival. Our dedicated cancer workforce go above and beyond to care for patients, yet they face an impossible challenge without the resources they need.

We launched our campaign ‘What Are We Waiting For?’ to get governments to act on reducing cancer waiting times by 2025. Macmillan campaigners in all 650 constituencies took action, and the impact was felt across the UK.

Campaigning for change
Omaze Macmillan prize draw house

Omaze’s Million Pound House Draw 

We secured a charity partnership with Omaze UK and their high-profile Million Pound House Draw Devon competition.

The partnership raised a phenomenal £1.7 million for people living with cancer. The Grand Prize winner was Simon Williams, who spoke about his lucky win and how Macmillan supported his father during his cancer diagnosis.

Fundraising through partnerships