The Oak Cancer Centre Appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, partners and fundraisers, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raised over £70 million to build the Oak Cancer Centre, making it our largest-ever fundraising appeal to date.
The Oak Cancer Centre Appeal: a timeline
March 2017
The Oak Cancer Centre Appeal Board is established. The extraordinary fundraising achievements of these 16 individuals helps us to raise £70 million in our most successful appeal to date.
June 2017
Oak Foundation pledges £25 million, the largest donation the Charity has ever received, and the building is named the Oak Cancer Centre.
June 2018
His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales, hosts a special evening at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the innovative work of The Royal Marsden, including a performance by pop royalty Kylie Minogue.
July 2019
A team of over twenty bankers from fifteen different firms abseil down the UK’s tallest sculpture, the ArcelorMittal Orbit in London, raising over £250,000.
November 2019
Sutton Council unanimously approves planning permission, after our application receives an unprecedented level of public support.
March 2020
The public fundraising appeal is launched with a star-studded benefit concert at London’s O2 Arena. The Music for the Marsden show includes performances from Tom Jones, Bonnie Tyler, Eric Clapton and many more, and raises £1 million for the Oak Cancer Centre.
October 2020
Construction work on the OCC begins, with the first stone laid by His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales.
May 2021
The Banham Marsden March goes virtual during the pandemic, with 5,000 people walking in their local areas to raise over £1.2 million for the Oak Cancer Centre Appeal.
September 2021
The Topping Out ceremony takes place, where the last layer of cement is added to the top of the building to signify reaching the highest point of the structure.
July 2022
The final panel of glazing is fitted, and photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity, are installed on the roof to provide a greener source of energy.
October 2022
The Royal Marsden’s Chief Pharmacist, Professor Rob Duncombe, runs the 2022 London Marathon dressed as an 8ft oak tree. Despite missing out on a Guinness World Record for the fastest tree to run a marathon, he smashes his £3,000 fundraising target.
June 2023
The Oak Cancer Centre is officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales on 8 June 2023.
