It’s in the bag...TK Maxx raises £50m to help beat cancer! - Cancer Research UK

We’re celebrating 20 years in partnership together with TK Maxx, and a staggering £50m raised for Cancer Research UK!

From fashion to fundraising

TK Maxx is our biggest corporate funder of research into children’s and young people’s cancers. They’re also the proud sponsor of our Star Awards scheme, which recognises the courage shown by children and young people in the face of cancer.

Over the last two decades, TK Maxx has been an absolute powerhouse of support for Cancer Research UK- from associate fundraising and customer donations to selling charity merchandise. Their flagship stock-generation campaign, Give Up Clothes for Good, has been a cornerstone of this partnership, evolving into the longest running clothing collection campaign in the UK. From working with our incredible shop teams and volunteer drivers, to star-studded marketing campaigns with the likes of Liam Neeson, Laura Whitmore and Nadine Coyle, TK Maxx’s dedication and support has enabled us to collect nearly 2 million bags of donations since 2004.

“We’re proud that this partnership has evolved into one of our longest-standing corporate relationships, with TK Maxx's support for children and young people’s cancers at the heart of it. We are incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication of TK Maxx, their customers, and our Trading teams who have made all this possible."

- Simon Ledsham, Director of Relationship Management

Turning donations into discoveries

Since 2008*, TK Maxx has raised more than a quarter of what we’ve spent on research into children’s and young people’s cancers, including helping launch the Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence in 2018. With their support, Cancer Research UK’s work has helped more children and young people survive cancer than ever before.

Dr Laura Danielson, Children’s and Young People’s Research Lead, from Cancer Research UK said, “By supporting our work for 20 years, TK Maxx have helped us ensure we can commit to the long-term funding that’s essential to see progress for children and young people affected by cancer. The impact of this work has been incredible and reaches across the world.”

Dressing to impress

To mark this milestone and TK Maxx’s tremendous contribution to our high-street shops, TK Maxx have teamed up with celebrity costume-designer Kate Tabor to create a special ‘£50m dress’ made from donations collected through the campaign. This stunning dress, worn by Naomie Harris, symbolises the collective effort and generosity of everyone involved: TK Maxx customers, associates, and our supporters who have made this all possible.

“The 50-Layer Dress celebrates these collective achievements, and we’re delighted to be taking a moment to give particular thanks to TK Maxx customers. Every donation raises money that goes towards vital research, bringing hope of a future where all children and young people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

- Dr Laura Danielson, Research Lead for Children’s and Young People’s Cancers at Cancer Research UK