Facts About Red Nose Day

Comic Relief is a British charity organisation that was founded in the United Kingdom in 1985. It raises money all year round, not just on Red Nose Day. Comic relief is the name of the charity; Red Nose Day is the name of the events on the day to raise money for Comic Relief. The first Red Nose Day was on 5th February 1988, and it raised roughly £15 million.





In New Zealand on Red Nose Day, they raise money for research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. There are many other countries in the world that use the name of Red Nose Day to raise money for certain charities.



Since the charity Comic Relief started in the 1980s, it has raised over £600 million! This has became such an achievement because of the amount of merchandise sold, such as red noses, t-shirts, and the amount of live events which all money raised during this event goes straight to Comic Relief.





Comic Reliefs two main supporters are Sainsbury’s, because they sell merchandise on behalf of the charity, and the BBC, who have a live television show on Red Nose Day where again all the money goes to the Comic Relief charity.



What has a red nose got anything to do with raising money for people in Africa? Well, when the idea was first thought up (having a day where you raise money for Comic Relief), they needed a brand. The cast of The Young Ones were in a meeting in London with marketing executive Peter Crossing. When the idea was raised for a brand name, everyone sat round a table and thought deeply about it, whilst in deep thought, Peter Crossing picked up a red pen and coloured his nose in red, similar to a clown’s nose. This is where Red Nose Day got its name from. The design of the red nose is different every year.



What did you do for Comic Relief? How much did you raise? Please leave a comment and tell us your achievement.



UPDATE: Red Nose Day 2009 raised a the record amount of £57,908,938! Well done everyone