Macmillan celebrates £20 million raised through partnership fundraising with National Garden Scheme

At Macmillan, we know that cancer can affect everything. That’s why we are so incredibly proud to celebrate our longstanding partner, the National Garden Scheme for raising a landmark £20 million. This extraordinary generosity helps fund our vital services, ensuring that from the moment of diagnosis, people across the UK get the support they truly need whoever they are and wherever they live.   

The National Garden Scheme has supported Macmillan since 1984, opening thousands of private gardens to the public and inspiring people to get outside and enjoy the sense of wellbeing that time spent in beautiful outdoor spaces can bring. Together, Macmillan and the National Garden Scheme encourage people to connect with nature, while raising vital funds to support those living with cancer. 

Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of the National Garden Scheme and its supporters, Macmillan has been able to fund 150 Macmillan nurses, healthcare professionals and specialist care units, including Y Bwthyn, Bristol and Chesterfield. These services play a crucial role in helping people affected by cancer get the support they need, when they need it most. 

Today, the National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to more than 3,300 private gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Funds are raised for Macmillan and other nursing and health charities through garden admissions, as well as the much-loved teas and homemade cakes served by garden owners and volunteers. 

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 

“A cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down and leave people feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what lies ahead. At times like these, even small moments of calm and comfort can make a real difference, and for many people, being in a garden or green space can offer just that. 

“The incredible £20 million raised by the National Garden Scheme is helping Macmillan provide vital emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer across the UK, so they can live life as fully as possible. We’re hugely grateful to everyone involved in opening their gardens, baking cakes and welcoming visitors, and for the generosity that continues to grow from this special partnership.” 

Lara after being diagnosed with breast cancer said: 

“Gardening has been central to my recovery and renewed wellbeing. Since my cancer treatment, being surrounded by plants and nature has completely transformed my outlook - I feel calmer, more grounded, and genuinely happy outdoors. Even five minutes in the garden helps me switch off from the world. 

“After moving out of London I had a complete career change and now run Skool Beanz Children's Garden in Somerset from an allotment in my village, teaching children how to grow their own food and care for nature. Having this space to grow vegetables and flowers has been transformative. Nurturing seedlings and children and watching them all thrive brings me real joy. If you don't have a garden of your own it doesn't matter, there are community gardens that will welcome you with open arms all over the country. 

"Holding National Garden Scheme Open Days has been especially meaningful, as it has given me the opportunity to give something back to Macmillan, who helped me throughout my treatment. It has allowed me to help raise funds for Macmillan while celebrating the powerful physical and mental benefits that gardening can bring after cancer treatment." 

Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, said: 

“Donating £20 Million to Macmillan is an extraordinary landmark for the National Garden Scheme. This means that Macmillan has received more than a quarter of all the money raised in our 99 years of philanthropic giving. Every pound we donate is hard-won by the amazing generosity of both our Garden Owners and Volunteers, not to mention that of their ticket-buying and tea-drinking visitors. I'm so proud that we've been able to help such an important charity do its crucial work in support of those suffering with or affected by cancer. We're also very grateful to Macmillan for championing our cause in turn - and encouraging its supporters to visit our gardens, and possibly even open their gardens themselves. In this way they help bolster our ability to give to this, and other great causes.” 

Reaching £20 million, highlights the incredible dedication of the National Garden Scheme, its garden owners, volunteers and visitors, whose continued generosity is helping Macmillan ensure people with cancer get the best possible care and support, whoever they are and wherever they live in the UK. 

Our partnership champions the physical and mental health benefits of gardening, which we know can be valuable and comforting for people living with cancer. Read more about the impact gardening can have on people living with cancer. 

To support our partnership, book a garden visit or enjoy a series of virtual tours, by visiting the National Garden Scheme website. You can also find likeminded gardeners on our Online Community. 

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for some of the UK's best-loved nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.   

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated more than £77.8 million to our beneficiary charities, and in 2025 made donations of over £3.8 million. Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, we are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and our beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson’ UK, Carers Trust and The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing.   

The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We fund Community Gardens and projects that promote gardens and gardening as therapy, and in 2017, we launched our annual Gardens and Health Week to raise awareness of the topic in May each year. Our funding also supports the training of gardeners and offers respite to horticultural workers who have fallen on difficult times.   

In 2027 the charity will celebrate 100 years of opening gardens for charity.  

To buy our Garden Visitor’s Handbook or find a garden near you visit our website at www.ngs.org.uk