KPMG UK raises over £1 million for charity partner, Marie Curie

KPMG in the UK has now raised over £1 million for Marie Curie, two years after staff voted for a partnership with the end-of-life charity.

The firm’s flagship Big Walks*, which took place in the summer months, were a key contributor to the total raised so far. This year, 5,300 colleagues collectively travelled a staggering 94,000km, with the fundraising walks and distance challenges raising over £320,000. This surpassed the £222,000 raised the prior year.

In September this year, 300 colleagues stepped up even further, bravely abseiling 15 stories of the firm’s London headquarters in Canary Wharf, raising over £73,000.

KPMG UK’s charity partnership also extends to the firm’s volunteering and pro bono efforts. The professional services firm, Marie Curie and other stakeholders have been collaborating to better understand the barriers to improving end of life care.

Sharing their respective expertise, both have been examining the statutory requirement for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to commission palliative and end of life care services that meet the needs of their local population, with a key focus being placed on proposing new ideas to overcome the challenges being faced. 

The £1 million raised for Marie Curie so far, could help fund 43,000 hours of vital nursing care for someone with a terminal illness. KPMG UK now aims to build on this success, both in terms of fundraising and pro bono work before the partnership draws to a close in September 2024.

Sharing his own experience of depending on Marie Curie’s support, Andrew Allison, Sales Lead within Connected Learning at KPMG UK, said:

“In 2010, my mother had been hospitalised following a stroke, while my father was diagnosed as being in the final stages of lung cancer. Like many people, my father was determined to stay at home for as long as possible – a wish that was supported by a Marie Curie nurse. As my father’s condition deteriorated, he was admitted to a hospice, where he received great care while being treated with kindness and dignity before passing away.

“Without the support of Marie Curie, my father’s life would have been shorter, and I believe, impoverished too. The charity was a vital lifeline, providing continuity of care and help at a time when we all needed it most. It’s always hard losing a loved one, and I lost both my parents in quick succession. I’m eternally grateful to Marie Curie for their support throughout it all.” 

Rachel Hopcroft, Head of Corporate Affairs at KPMG UK, said:

“KPMG UK’s partnership with Marie Curie to date has been fantastic, and I’m so proud of everything we have achieved together. Thousands of KPMG colleagues have enthusiastically engaged with the partnership through a variety of fundraising, volunteering and pro bono initiatives. Marie Curie’s work has an immeasurable impact on the lives of people affected by terminal illness, death and bereavement across the UK and it’s a cause that resonates with so many of us at KPMG UK.  I’ve really enjoyed working with the Marie Curie team and we’re so excited to see what we can do together over the coming year.”

Matthew Read, Chief Executive at Marie Curie, added:

“We are absolutely delighted at Marie Curie that our partnership with KPMG has raised such an astonishing total in just two years. When we first announced our partnership back in late 2021, all of us at Marie Curie were thrilled with the prospect of a new flagship partnership with a clear, shared belief: that everyone, regardless of their background, should have the same level of care, support, and guidance whatever terminal illness they are facing. The impact this will have on the people we support is staggering and £1m could fund over 43,000 nursing hours. My huge gratitude to KPMG colleagues for making a true difference to lives of families across the UK living with terminal illness. Thank you for continuing to fundraise and support Marie Curie’s mission and work to close the gap in end-of-life care.”