Macmillan Cancer Support’s income last year reached a record level of £268m after it received a single legacy gift of £22.4m.

The figures have been revealed in the charity’s annual accounts, which show that the legacy gift was donated by the late George Gerald Kingsland Smith “to express his appreciation for the kindness and support he saw his mother receive from Macmillan nurses in the late 1990s”.

The charity’s chief executive Gemma Peters and chair David Bennet describe the legacy gift in the report as “exceptional and generous”.

They said that the record income achieved in 2025 “in a challenging economic climate is humbling” and “reflects a strong public belief in our mission and gives us the confidence to think bigger”.

The report adds that the charity is “incredibly grateful to the late Mr Smith and to everyone who pledges to leave a gift in their will”.

During 2025 it received legacy gifts totalling £129.3m, a record for the charity, from more than 3,000 people.

It details that last year its will service was accessed by more than 15,000 people “with an estimated total of £47 million pledged as future gifts to Macmillan”.

Its income was also boosted from £16.9m from its flagship fundraising Coffee Morning event. Since 1990 this has raised £330m for the charity.

Legacy gifts

Key advice given to charities and financial advisers during Remember A Charity Week (7-13 September) is to connect “legacy giving with the causes, values and personal experiences that people want to carry forward”.

The consortium has also highlighted the importance of a “values led approach” to legacy discussions in guidance it issued last month to financial advisors for wealthy individuals.

This said that “philanthropic conversations can be deeply personal, providing opportunities to build rapport” urging advisors to “tailor the conversation to your client’s needs, circumstances and interests”.

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