Our partnership with Greene King

Team members in its 1,500 managed pubs across the country host a wide range of fundraising events such as quiz nights, brave the shaves, coffee mornings and collections, as well as menu donations, which have all been generously supported by its customers.

Team members also take on a host of personal challenges including skydives, boat races, marathons, Mighty Hikes and cycling tours across Europe, demonstrating the awe-inspiring lengths the business is willing to go to support those in need.

Customers have also played an important role in helping to raise money in Greene King pubs, restaurants and hotels. They have pulled together in their local communities by donating via Pennies, the digital charity box, and those guests with a sweet tooth have raised money by selecting a dessert, which includes a donation to Macmillan.

Celtic Manor

For five years running, Greene King has brought together suppliers from across the hospitality industry for its annual Macmillan Charity Day and Gala dinner, raising around £1.2million since its launch in 2022.

Held at the iconic Celtic Manor Resort, guests have the option to enjoy a day of golf, a cooking master class hosted by award-winning chefs, or take part in a Padel Tournament – a new addition for 2026.

The event is sponsored by some of Greene King’s key supplier partners, from across the hospitality sector, who demonstrate their support for Macmillan and their commitment to helping people living with cancer.

Brewery Run

The Brewery Run challenge is to complete as many 4.5km laps as possible, beginning and ending at Greene King’s Brewery in bury St Edmunds within six hours. Now in its second year, more than 100 team members took part in 2026, covering 497 laps of the brewery – the equivalent of 2,251km – raising over £15,000.

Tartan Trek

The Tartan Trek is an annual fundraising challenge led by Greene King which involves an ambitious sponsored trek around several pubs in just one day! The event, which has been running for over 10 years, was originally conceived by a colleague, with a deep, personal connection to the cause, who wanted to give back to the charity after her own cancer diagnosis.

The challenge has always been held in Scotland, with this year’s event taking place in Glasgow – covering 15 miles and 20 pubs! If the target for this year’s challenge is met, over £200,000 will have been raised for Macmillan over the past decade.

Awareness Raising

In March 2026 Greene King and Macmillan launched The Early Bell campaign as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, with the backing of cancer campaigner, and prostate cancer survivor Errol McKellar. 

During the campaign, pub bells across the UK rang out early at 6pm for six evenings to raise awareness of the 1 in 6 men in the UK who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The campaign aimed to get people talking about prostate cancer and encourage people to seek help early. 

Errol was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 and now works with Macmillan to encourage people to seek support for a cancer diagnosis. He said: “After my diagnosis, I realised just how vital early detection of prostate cancer is. The Early Bell campaign is a powerful symbol of this silent killer and a reminder to urge men to start talking. We need to break down stigma, challenge fear, and encourage men to have conversations with loved ones they might otherwise avoid.” 

Anthony Cunliffe, Lead Medical Advisor at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer affecting men across the UK, yet too many people are still diagnosed too late. This is crucial because we know that being diagnosed early gives you a wider variety of treatment options and better chances of recovery. 

“Working with our fantastic partners at Greene King on campaigns like the Early Bell are so important because they encourage men and their loved ones to start conversations, recognise potential symptoms, and seek medical advice without delay.” 

Alongside the Early Bell campaign, Greene King pubs across the UK hosted charity events throughout March to raise funds for Macmillan’s free, confidential Support Line, which is available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or via online chat. 

Bringing support into the community

In 2026, Greene King and Macmillan have worked together to bring Macmillan's support services into the heart of the community.

In Manchester and London, selected Greene King sites will host Macmillan Professionals offering members of the community the opportunity to speak with a professional about anything cancer-related in a space that is familiar to them.

This is a brilliant example of delivering Neighbourhood Health, demonstrating how our partnership can support the communities in which we serve.

Macmillan and Greene King placed joint first position for the 'Most Admired Corporate-Non-Profit Partnership' title in the C&E Corporate-Non-Profit Partnerships Barometer in 2026.

In an unprompted poll of leading corporate and non-profit practitioners we received 11% of the vote, making the recognition particularly meaningful.

We are delighted that our partnership has been recognised for evolving a major fundraising relationship into a broader, deeply embedded partnership which is down to the hard work of Greene King’s pub teams in communities across the UK and continued support from executive leadership.