Our partnership with Greene King
Our partnership with Greene King has raised more than £25 million to support people living with cancer since 2012. Find out more about the success of the partnership.
Key facts
- Partners since 2012
- Over £25 million raised.
Our partnership
In 2026, Macmillan and Greene King are celebrating 14 years in partnership. The UK’s leading pub company and brewer continues to go above and beyond. Over £25 million has been raised since our partnership began in 2012. This money is helping to fund Macmillan Professionals and our Support Line service, helping thousands of people living with and affected by cancer.
Having originally set out to raise £1 million over 3 years, Greene King exceeded its target a year early and the partnership continues to go from strength to strength.
Team members in its 1,600 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.
Nick Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer for Greene King, said: “Pubs have always been at the heart of communities, and that has never been clearer than now, when our dedicated pub teams and our amazing customers have come together to support a cause that is close to the hearts of so many. Our incredible team members have put their all behind raising money. I’d like to thank our customers, who have been so supportive and generous in helping us raise record-breaking amounts for Macmillan.”
'Team members have put their all behind raising money' - Nick Mackenzie, CEO, Greene King
Supporting people living with cancer
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.