Which charity did PizzaExpress's Veneziana pizza support starting in 1977?

PizzaExpress’s Veneziana pizza supported the Venice in Peril Fund starting in 1977.

PizzaExpress founder Peter Boizot introduced the Pizza Veneziana to raise money for protecting Venice’s historic buildings and artworks. Originally, the company donated 5 pence from every Veneziana sold to the Venice in Peril Fund, a British charity focused on conserving Venice’s cultural heritage and responding to threats such as flooding and rising water levels.

The charity was established in 1971, following international concern about Venice’s vulnerable architecture and art. PizzaExpress turned that concern into a long-running restaurant fundraising campaign. The pizza’s name refers to Venice, which is why it is sometimes mistakenly associated with broad environmental groups or general children’s charities.

The partnership generated substantial support over the decades. According to the charity’s history, PizzaExpress donated about £2 million between 1977 and 2015. Later arrangements routed donations through the Veneziana Fund, with money shared between Venice in Peril and conservation work on historic buildings, fixtures, fittings, and pre-1750 works of art.