Comic Relief

Picture of red nose

Thursday 26 February 2009

Comic Relief supports many different causes. Find out about them and how to help.

Comic Relief

Comic Relief is just that – comic relief. It shows that people can help others and still have fun.

Comic Relief aims for 'a just world free from poverty.' It organizes a range of campaigns and activities which people can take part in and raise money. All donations then go to different projects and schemes that help the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world.

Fundraising happens throughout the year and builds up to a live show. This year it’s taking place on 13th March on BBC1.

Causes

Here are some of the issues that will benefit from donations:-

Preventing Malaria

This disease is spread through bites from infected insects like mosquitoes. It kills a child in Africa every 30 seconds, but is actually very easy to prevent if the right medicines are available.

Young people

The money raised will be used to help the lives of young people who have problems with alcohol, conflict, homelessness, mental health and prostitution.

Street and working children

Millions of children around the world face poverty, discrimination and exploitation. Comic Relief aims to get them into education.

Red Nose Day

One of Comic Relief's most successful campaigns is Red Nose Day which launched in 1988. Since then over 50 million red noses have been sold.

The idea for the red nose came about during a BBC meeting when a marketing executive picked up a red pen and drew a red nose around his own. The rest is history! Buy a red nose here.

One of the reasons why the campaign has become so popular is because it mixes fundraising in schools and work places with fundraising by the UK's most loved celebrities. They get up to all kinds of trouble – which makes it even more fun to watch and take part.

Campaigns

This year is jam packed with ways to raise money.

The BT Red Nose Climb

Nine celebrities including Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh and Gary Barlow will be climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. The team have been posting blogs on how their training is going so far and will continue to do so even while climbing the mountain.

So far, they’ve raised over £230,000 – but there’s still time to raise more and everyone who sponsors them will be awarded by having their name on The Name Chain.

T-shirts

This year’s T-shirts have been designed by Stella McCartney and are the most iconic ever. Printed on the shirts are some of the biggest names in entertainment including Madonna and old school classic figures like Morecambe & Wise and The Beatles.

The T-shirts are available on the RND website and in T.K. Maxx stores.

Music

This year there will be two singles for Comic Relief. Rising girl band The Saturdays will be releasing ‘I Just Can’t Get Enough’ on 2nd March, whilst Gavin and Stacey stars Rob Brydon and Ruth Jone’s will be releasing ‘(Barry) Islands in the Stream’ the following week. We’re predicting no.1 singles.

How to help

The easiest way to help is by donating money online.

Schools can help Comic Relief by organising fundraising events. For tips and ideas visit RND in your school. The theme is ‘Do something funny for money,’ so all crazy ideas are welcome. There are even free RND fundraising kits available too.

Whatever the event, don’t forget to encourage people to sponsor or make a donation. Why not try some of these ideas:-