Culturally our restaurants and pubs are the driving force behind many communities across the UK. Therefore we actively encourage our managers to contribute to their local area and place their businesses at the heart of these communities. Some of our managers and teams go to extraordinary lengths to support local good causes and our yearly Heart of the Community awards reward those who've done the most.

Many of our pub managers are supporters of Pubwatch and Best Bar None. These voluntary schemes, operating in hundreds of communities across the UK, help licensed premises promote responsible social drinking in a safe, secure environment.

Charitable activities

Between October 2010 and October 2011, at least £260,000 was donated to worthy causes, from corporate donations and through our brand fundraising.

Marie Curie Cancer Care

Our three year partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care came to a close in December 2011. This has been a valuable partnership for both Mitchells & Butlers and the charity, raising over £180,000 during the period from a combination of corporate donations and employee fundraising. Our donation will pay for 6,000 Marie Curie nursing hours nationwide and also support the charity's Big Build Appeal for a new hospice in Solihull, West Midlands.

Our brands' great fundraising activities

Collectively our brands have donated over £200,000 this year to charity, continuing to demonstrate outstanding charitable giving. Although many more events were held across our restaurants and pubs raising money for charities, which aren't included in this total.

Supporting Birmingham

This year's highlights include:

• Following 18 months of national and local fundraising challenges, the Sizzling Pubs team donated over £130,000 to Help for Heroes
• Crown Carveries donated over 6,000 free meals to past and present servicemen, as part of its support for national Armed Forces Day 2011

To read more about our support for the local community, get a copy of our Social Responsibility Review.