An incredible £20 million, our partnership with the National Garden Scheme reaches a landmark milestone

Some partnerships really do stand the test of time and ours with the National Garden Scheme (NGS) is one of them.

We’re absolutely delighted to be celebrating an amazing milestone together: £20 million raised to support people living with cancer across the UK.

Yes, £20 million! And it’s all thanks to beautiful gardens, slices of homemade cake, and the kindness of thousands of people who’ve opened their gates, put the kettle on, and welcomed visitors with open arms.

The National Garden Scheme has been supporting Macmillan since 1984, opening up beautiful private gardens and inviting people to step outside, slow down and soak up the wellbeing boost that comes from spending time in nature. Over the years, our shared love of gardens has grown into a powerful partnership. One that brings people together, connects them with nature, and raises vital funds to support those living with cancer.

Today, the National Garden Scheme gives visitors access to more than 3,300 private gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Funds are raised through garden admissions and, of course, the much-loved teas and homemade cakes served by garden owners and volunteers (honestly, enough of a reason to visit).

This incredible £20 million is helping Macmillan provide vital practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer across the UK, so they can live life as fully as possible. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who’s opened their garden gates, baked a cake, or popped along for a visit. Your generosity really does make a difference.

Thanks to this support, Macmillan has been able to fund 150 Macmillan nurses, healthcare professionals and specialist care units, including services like Y Bwthyn, Bristol and Chesterfield. These services are there when people need them most, offering expert care, reassurance and support at some of life’s toughest moments.

Reaching this milestone is a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together. It’s a huge credit to the dedication of the NGS community, garden owners, volunteers and visitors alike, whose continued generosity is helping ensure people with cancer get the best possible care and support, whoever they are and wherever they live in the UK.

Our partnership also celebrates the physical and mental health benefits of gardening. For many people living with cancer, spending time in green spaces can be calming, uplifting and restorative. You can read more about the positive impact gardening can have for people affected by cancer.

You can support our partnership by booking a garden visit or enjoying a virtual tour through the National Garden Scheme website. Whether you’re there for the flowers, the cake, or the cause. Thank you.

And if you’d like to connect with fellow garden lovers, you can also find likeminded people in our Online Community.