19th July 2023

Macmillan Cancer Support and Portsmouth City Council have formed a partnership agreement that will benefit communities in the city.

The cancer charity is now the new presenting partner for Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower, which is owned by the city council.

The partnership is intended to raise awareness of the help available to people affected by cancer, particularly the services Macmillan provides to the community in and around Portsmouth and will support Macmillan’s fundraising events and activities.

The Spinnaker Tower will remain its iconic white colour and will not be renamed or repainted. Instead, the intention is for the charity’s logo to appear on the bottom section of one of the tower’s legs as well as on signage at the front of the building and inside the attraction.

Visitors to the south coast landmark will have the option to directly donate to Macmillan Cancer Support when they buy tickets at the tower. Macmillan will also hold multiple fundraising events at the Spinnaker Tower over the next year, including charity abseils down the 170m structure and a Macmillan coffee morning in the clouds!

Anthony Newman, Macmillan Director of Brand & Marketing said: The Spinnaker Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the south of England and this is a brilliant opportunity for Macmillan to reach more people affected by cancer. Locally, the Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Queen Alexandra Hospital provides invaluable support to cancer patients and their families and, through the fundraising events and activities that can take place as part of this partnership, we hope to strengthen that support.

Sadly, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing every year and that means Macmillan’s support for people living with cancer is in more demand than ever. At Macmillan, we know how cancer can affect everything. We’re here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can.”

Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development, said: “This is set to be a really exciting partnership for Portsmouth and we’re delighted to be working with Macmillan Cancer Care.

“The partnership with Macmillan marks a change of direction for the council in terms of our Spinnaker Tower partner. It is important to us that we joined forces with an organisation that provides real benefits to the people in our communities, and Macmillan certainly does that.

“As a major UK landmark, the Spinnaker Tower attracts visitors from all over the world and provides an opportunity for us to forge partnerships like this that generate income which can be invested back into services for the local community.”