Mackenzie has a long history of charitable involvement and giving. Determined to make a difference, wherever he can, over the past 30 years he has consistently given back to causes close to heart and inspired many with his own story and artwork.

Mackenzie credits the impact his early years have had on his life and it is this personal narrative which informs his artwork.  Born and raised in Middlesbrough a northern industrial town in the UK Mackenzie grappled with dyslexia throughout his childhood; the feelings of isolation he experienced as he struggled to express himself, remain evident in his work to this day.  He knows he was fortunate enough to be born with the innate ability to draw and paint and ultimately it was this talent which was to be his salvation. In the absence of reading and writing skills it was art which gave him both confidence and a future and he concedes that without the help of certain individuals at key points in his life, he would not be where he is today.

Mackenzie has established associations with a number of national and international charities that have a synergy with themes explored in his artwork.  Alongside this sits the work he does with localised and community-based causes.

The Royal British Legion, The Meningitis Trust and the NSPCC are among the charities Mackenzie has previously worked within the UK, while his football-themed pictures have raised funds for causes such as the Finlay Cooper Fund. Mackenzie also famously created a piece called ‘Remembrance’ for the front cover of the Northern Echo Remembrance Sunday edition which raised money for Help for Heroes.

International charities Mackenzie has worked with over the years include The Boys and Girls club in the USA, and The Edge, Japan’s Dyslexic society.